SC4 Devotion Forum Archives

The date was January 27, 2007.  I posted a very early preview of a new building that I originally intended to use as part of a private school complex, but the idea eventually grew far beyond that.  Over time, that small picture has evolved into a series of buildings and lots which can be combined to create an expandable, fully functioning modular university.  On November 17, 2008, the first phase of the University of Clayhurst was released on the LEX DVD (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=6314.0).  The project is ongoing and there are still many things to come in the future, but the basic mechanics are in place and this post will explain how the whole university system works.

The University of Clayhurst is made up of three different lot categories:  Path and Driveway Lots, Functional Classroom Lots, and Support Building Lots.  All of these lots are part of a customized reward chain which allows you to grow and expand your campus over time.  This growth is based on a number of factors which include population, the educational performance of your city, and a point system built into the university lots.  As future expansion packs are added, more options and chains will present themselves at the appropriate times.

Path and Driveway Lots

These are the lots that connect your buildings to form a cohesive campus environment.  They are available to plop upon installation.  These lots are essentially nuetral outside of the university reward chain system.  Path lots have a plop cost of $5 per tile and driveway lots cost $10 per tile.  There are no bulldozing or maintanence costs.  They use minimal electricity and the driveway lots do produce a small amount of pollution.  All of the path and driveway lots for the University of Clayhurst are BSC Park Compliant.  This system uses various interchangeable textures to create seamless transitions between other parks and lots using the same system.  All the paths and driveways in this set also feature color coded arrows to make placement easier.  Driveway openings will show purple arrows, wide paths will show green arrows, and narrow paths will show yellow arrows.  All University of Clayhurst building lots also use the same color coding arrows.  Below is an example of the placement arrows in use.



Functional Classroom Buildings

These functional classroom buildings form the basis of your university.  The first of these "trigger buildings" will become available when your city has reached a population of 14,500 sims.  At this time, you will be asked to build one of the three choices.  You can only plop one functional classroom building at this time, but you will be able to plop eye candy versions later if you would like to.  The functioning trigger building will act much the same way as the Maxis university.  It will provide jobs as well as educational and other benefits to the city.  You will need to provide road access to any functional building.  As the university grows, additional functioning classroom buildings will be offered, opening further possibilities and benefits for the university and city.  Specific information on individual buildings can be found in the readmes or the release post on page one of this thread.


Support Buildings

After you have placed one of the first three trigger buildings, additional university buildings will become available for use.  Some of these buildings are functional and some are mostly "eye candy."  All functional buildings require road access.  They will also provide jobs as well as other benefits depending on their function.  The eye candy lots can be plopped anywhere.  They require no road access and are essentially neutral lots as far as the rest of the city is concerned.  They are, of course, counted as university buildings and lots as part of the reward chain system.  (Please pay attention to which version you select from the menus.  Functional buildings are followed by eye candy buildings in the menu order and menu descriptions clearly indicate which lots are which.)  These support buildings cover a wide variety of uses and can include anything from student housing dormitories to sports facilities and libraries to campus security.  Specific information on individual buildings can be found in the readmes or the release post on page one of this thread.


Dependencies:

BSC Essentials (http://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=443)
BSC Textures Vol 01 (http://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=90)
BSC Texture Pack Vol 02 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=638)
BSC Texture Pack Vol 03 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1806)
BSC Parks - Texture Set (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=438)
BSC MEGA Props - CP Vol01 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1180)
BSC MEGA Props - D66 Vol01 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=396)
BSC MEGA Props - D66 Vol02 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=556)
BSC MEGA Props -JBSimio Vol03 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1891)
BSC MEGA Props - MJB Vol01 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=407)
BSC MEGA Props - SG Vol01 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=746)


Credits:

Something of this size would have never been possible without the help of many, many people.  This project has been in the works for the better part of two years now and I cannot possibly thank everyone enough all the assistance and encouragement I've been given during that time.  Countless people have made suggestions for this project and I cannot hope to name every single person who has had a hand in things, but I'm going to try and mention as many as I can.  If I've forgotten your name, please accept my humblest apologies and know that you still have my gratitude.

• Ripplejet provided immeasurable assistance with game mechanics and modding.  He organized and input all the multi-lingual text files and also modded the reward scripts.
• AndreasRoth also helped immensely with modding.  He also provided the menu icons and the final installers.
• BarbyW patiently provided advice on everything from lotting styles to file organization.
• Hogmeister, JasonCW, Jplumbey, Nofunk, and Spa were all instrumental in getting this project into the form it has become.  They all provided key ideas, reference photos, and other points of reference that went into forming the fully modular and expandable university set.
• Stretchniz provided the final name for the university as well as allowed me to use some of his graphic logos.
• Callagrafx made the really cool looking image at the top of this post.

Special thanks also goes to everyone who provided translations for this project:

• Andreas Roth - German
• Fukuda - French
• Meldolion - Italian
• Figui - Spanish
• Sebes - Dutch
• Unassigned and Vester - Danish
• Krbe and Glenni - Norwegian
• RippleJet - Swedish and Finnish

Finally, thank you to everyone who has followed this project over its long and winding path.  My own ideas and plans only take me so far.  It is all the comments and suggestions that have made this what it is.  The buildings, lots, and the way everything fits together all evolved, grew, and got better because of your feedback.  Your enthusiasm for this project kept it going several times after I thought it was dead.

The University of Clayhurst starter pack includes everything you need to get your new university up and running.  Included are a total of 20 BSC Park Compliant path lots, 19 parking and driveway lots, 3 functional classroom buildings, 4 functional support buildings, and 10 additional "eye candy" lots.


[tabular type=2]
[row]  [head] [/head]  [head]Fuhrmann Academic Center[/head]  [head]Olson Academic Center[/head]  [head]Conger Academic Center[/head]  [/row]
[row]  [data]Lot Size:[/data]  [data]7 x  3 tiles[/data]  [data]5 x 4 tiles[/data]  [data]5 x 4 tiles[/data]  [/row]
[row]  [data]Menu Position:[/data]  [data]Education[/data]  [data]Education[/data]  [data]Education[/data]  [/row]
[row]  [data]Plop Cost:[/data]  [data]$6000[/data]  [data]$5200[/data]  [data]$4200[/data]  [/row]
[row]  [data]Student Capacity:[/data]  [data]8000[/data]  [data]7150[/data]  [data]6800[/data]  [/row]
[/tabular]

• Ahlers Memorial Library -  Acts as a  functional library, providing jobs and educational benefits
• Student Center - Acts as a small stadium, providing jobs, park benefits, and residential cap relief
• Student Chapel -  Acts as a house of worship, providing the same benefits as any other house of worship
• University Boiler - Acts as a small power plant, providing jobs and 300 MWh/month of power  (found in the power menu)

• Centennial Hall - a small dormitory
• Hillcrest Hall - a small dormitory
• Summit Hall - a small dormitory

In addition to the three dormitories, there are also eye candy versions of all seven functional buildings pictured above.



*details coming soon!*


*details coming not as soon!*


*details coming eventually!*

Alright... now that we have all of that out of the way, let's move on a little bit shall we?  The first expansion pack (EP1) for the University of Clayhurst is already underway so perhaps a quick review is in order.

The University of Clayhurst - EP1 will include three additional classroom buildings.  They are the DeBussy School of Engineering and Design, the Matthew Edgren Law School, and the Swan Centre for Business Studies.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDeBussy_Lot01.jpg&hash=047e07cf8c41afecd241cfc78e450f40ef6013a0)

The DeBussy school is completely finished and lotted.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FMELaw_South03.jpg&hash=1034bb6ec271efb9a2d9e494ddcdb8d55febcb2b)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FMELaw_North03.jpg&hash=70ed270ad1ac768fe6ec425160aab6bde86147aa)

The Law School is finished, and just needs to be exported.  (You'll probably notice that I made a few changes to the back of the building that aren't shown in the earlier front view... I forgot to take a new picture of the front.  Oops!)

The Business school is the final one and hasn't been started yet.

There will also be 4 or 5 new dormitory buildings.  Payce/Rooker Hall and Stropon Hall are completely finished and lotted.  Diggis Hall is the most recent one, and is pretty close to being done.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FPayceRooker_Lot.jpg&hash=ed878d6eee53941e722be0e2b8962196aeedcf41)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FStropon_Lot01.jpg&hash=9ed07ea3e7b456cebf602fa79cc138957096c5c0)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggisHall_Preview02.jpg&hash=766c09b687e5b1827f67003397be815df4e7026c)


There will also be a number of support buildings as in the starter pack, but none of them have been started just yet.  I can say for sure that I'll have campus police and fire protection, as well as a shuttle bus lot which can be used in other cities where you may not want to build another university.  Beyond that, I'm not entirely sure what will or won't make it into EP1 just yet.

So... here we go again!  ;)

JB

One word only, beawesome :P :thumbsup:

Jon, this is just awesome !
These university buildings looks really good, excellent work my friend. &apls

Arthur.  :thumbsup:

Quote from: JBSimio on February 18, 2009, 01:52:55 PM
Diggis Hall is the most recent one, and is pretty close to being done.

Awww shucks.  &ops  (This is the point someone comes up with some famous diggis it's named after and I slink away embarrassed)  :P

Quote from: JBSimio on February 18, 2009, 01:52:55 PM
DeBussy School of Engineering and Design,

Hmmm, that will be an interesting combination. Like oil and water.

A pessimist sees the glass as half empty,
An optimist sees the glass as half full,
An engineer sees the glass as too big.

Quote from: Diggis on February 19, 2009, 07:39:55 AM
Awww shucks.  &ops  (This is the point someone comes up with some famous diggis it's named after and I slink away embarrassed)  :P

Nah, Diggis Hall has been reserved for the foreign students who don't really study but drink a lot and are generally more slovenly and layabout-ish  :D :D





oh, and are into sheep  :thumbsup:

Quote from: callagrafx on February 19, 2009, 07:51:14 AM
oh, and are into sheep  :thumbsup:

Unless Diggis is a horse... ::)
http://www.bukefalos.com/g/showimage.php?i=15520

Quote from: Diggis on February 19, 2009, 07:39:55 AM
A pessimist sees the glass as half empty,
An optimist sees the glass as half full,
An engineer sees the glass as too big.

and a designer flushes the water and only sees the glass? ::)

Quote from: RippleJet on February 19, 2009, 07:57:55 AM
and a designer flushes the water and only sees the glass? ::)

No, a designer just wonders who's round it is next

Quote from: callagrafx on February 19, 2009, 08:03:26 AM
No, a designer just wonders who's round it is next

Amen to that.  :thumbsup:  Speaking of which.... Tage, I think you're up mate.

Jon wow such great detailed overview on the university!!! God I cant wait to get my paws on this!!!

err I should say donate to get my paws on this lol

Rayden:  Thank you!

Arthur:  Thanks!

Shaun:  Well... you're pretty much the only famous Diggis I know of, so I guess it must have something to do with you!  ;)  I understand the oil and water thought.  The two were intentionally combined by the university for the most idealistic college experience possible.  They liked the idea of teaching students how things should work together.  That way, when the graduates enter the workforce, they can be sufficiently confused and unable to cope with the reality of how things work!  :D

Callagrafx:  You're actually right about the foreign student part.  The dorm was designed to trap overseas students who may have lied about their language skills on the application.  It's usually pretty easy to tell if the same student keeps ending up trying to get into room 314 of Building C when he really belongs in room 314 of Building A.   ::)  I didn't think about the sheep though... probably because I'm not from NZ... :D

RippleJet:  Being caught with sheep (or horses) in your dorm is basis for expulsion in this school... he'll have to join a fraternity and move into the house in order to get away with that one!  :D

Poor Shaun.... this is now the third thread recently that has turned against him.  Don't get me wrong... I'm all for a little Kiwi bashing now and then... but must it always happen in my threads?  :D

Pat:  Thank you!

Well... I think this one is just about finished.  I have a couple small things to fix and change, but nothing major.  The most noticeable is the fact that I forgot to light up the stairwells!  So there will be no stumbling home drunk to this dorm!   %confuso

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_SouthDay03.jpg&hash=b293711036aae1160dc48beb964a19baa2911162)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_WestDay03.jpg&hash=febaf35021aa14dd0eb39a1827d7ec495a13ef21)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_SouthNight01.jpg&hash=e8a602861ea2930d9163572d06759cb1cb128d14)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_WestNight01.jpg&hash=8e0f532141169ebab5c177754c7457864902801d)

I think that's all for tonight!  I'm supposed to be waking back up in less than 5 hours... apparently I lost track of time (again!)

JB

LoL Jon dont you hate that when that happens lol... Looking real great for missing out on some ZZZZZ's

Quote from: JBSimio on February 19, 2009, 11:52:34 PM
Callagrafx:  You're actually right about the foreign student part.  The dorm was designed to trap overseas students who may have lied about their language skills on the application.  It's usually pretty easy to tell if the same student keeps ending up trying to get into room 314 of Building C when he really belongs in room 314 of Building A.   ::)  I didn't think about the sheep though... probably because I'm not from NZ... :D

I think you'll find this is because the brunette in Building C is more apealing than the empty bed in Building A.   :D

This building looks great Jon, although a few deck chairs and maybe some drunk students wouldn't be amis on the roof.  ;)

Quote from: Diggis on February 20, 2009, 01:20:30 AM
This building looks great Jon, although a few deck chairs and maybe some drunk students wouldn't be amis on the roof.  ;)

Not that they'd stay on the roof for long.... :D

Quote from: callagrafx on February 20, 2009, 02:09:19 AM
Not that they'd stay on the roof for long.... :D

That's when you'd trigger the award for the law school.

I trust you're modding that lot properly Jon: NIMBY effects and a general lowering of health in the student population. In all seriousness, that's a really neat building (and the name's not too bad either). Amazing to see all of this coming together. Nice work.
-Matt

Words cannot describe the excitement and joy, and the agony that I don't have the LEX DVD yet :D

 &apls &aplsVery impressive the design you got for your bat . I like them very much. &apls

Looking good!

Excellent work as always, another great asset for the game

Very cool stuff. I especially like the look of the design school.

Will this be on the LEX eventually, or on some future DVD?

Pat:  Thanks!  Truth be told, a good 80% or more of my best work seems to happen when I should be asleep!  :D

Shaun:  Probably a fair point... although I've got my eye on the blond in B412.   ()flower()

Lee:  Yeah... they already fell off, as a matter of fact... ;)

Matt:  Thanks!  The modding includes the NIMBY effect and actually drags the education level way down... making your entire city dumber for building this dorm!   $%Grinno$%

XiahouDun:  Thank you!  I guess you either need to get your DVD then... (or wait a bit longer until this set is nearly finished)  ;)

Kimcar:  Thank you!

Mcarch:  Thanks!

Hogmeister:  Thank you!

Chibytuga:  Thanks!  The starter pack is on the current DVD... and everything will be on the LEX when this pack gets closer to completion.

Alright... had a rather productive day with this.  I made a few last minute changes to Diggis Hall and will be exporting it as soon as I finish this post.  Here's the final look before lotting begins:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_SouthDay04.jpg&hash=3865d39e08715cc1fafe89ba039973068c86a645)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_SouthNight02.jpg&hash=0fbbbc2125f30280ef0e504ba8df76434e4a679d)

Speaking of lotting... I got the Matthew Edgren Law School exported overnight and started on the lot for it today.  I'm not entirely finished just yet, but it's pretty close.  This is a 7x4 lot.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FMELaw_LotFrontDay.jpg&hash=63219d5a35ab16ae9c0fa06e60eae4ed603be97e)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FMELaw_LotBackDay.jpg&hash=f5d4c0dc75c839ab0586356b02d7aa9456b09768)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FMELaw_LotFrontNight.jpg&hash=0ff3fa4d49294a08de871f50f734b0072623327a)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FMELaw_LotBackNight.jpg&hash=e8624bbac37539b943930e637df0cebc01cadcda)

The main things I still need to do with this one are find a better way to transition from the rosebeds along the sides around to the front... I'm just not happy with those front corners at the moment.  I also feel that the courtyard is a bit empty.  There are clusters of people there (they just didn't show up in this picture)... but I think it needs something more yet.  That's about it for now though...

JB

Wow excellent work I do like your university pack, ive used one of your uni pack from the bsc disc and it looks pretty good, an university like this was missing for the game.

One of my fav building from you its the DeBussy engineer building! I'd like you to do some more buildings like that style. can't wait to download it  :)

As for your latest building seems great, the only thing is the front statue, looks too bright at night...

Take care

drooool !!! two very nice buildings JB  :o

Heblem:  Thank you!  The Swan Centre for Business Studies will also be a more modern building similar to the DeBussy building.  The statue is a Maxis prop... so there isn't much I can do about that one.  ;)

Tag_one:  Thanks!

I made some additions to the courtyard at the back of the Matthew Edgren Law School... more seating, more people (although you can't tell from this picture).  It looks much better now and this one is just about finished for good.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FMELaw_LotCourtyard02.jpg&hash=d586cd06b286f671fa8140035d30a11bf416e718)

I also got Diggis Hall lotted.  It's pretty similar in style to Stropon Hall... and really a pretty simple lot, but it should work well for the modular setting.  This is a 5x4 lot.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_Lot01.jpg&hash=42f418d3e7fc1ee1992feb781ad74f55d46ace57)

That's about it for now... although there may be more to look at later!  ;)

JB

Awesome stuff, JB! I'm going to be ordering the SC4D DVD soon, and I just can't wait to play with your university!  ;D

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

It all looks good so good in fact I would like to attend and get my bachelors degree in Civil and environmental engineering versus the four associates and many other added credits that I have now.  A real neat looking campus... :satisfied:

later

Jack

Girlfromverona:  Thank you!  I'm glad to hear you'll be getting the DVD as well... don't forget to download the patch (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1876) for the DVD version.  ;)

Jack:  Thanks!  I wouldn't mind actually finishing a degree here either...  :D

Well... I started messing around with some ideas for the fifth and final dorm today.  (You actually haven't seen the fourth one yet because I'm not sure if I'm going to keep the one I have going right now or not).  What I really want to do is have a cluster of buildings around a sunken courtyard for this one.  As of right now, that idea wouldn't work because the dorms are too tall.  So I may either change some or all of the heights... or save the courtyard idea for another lot.  Either way... here's a look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FTowers_Preview01.jpg&hash=f9fac0b9764003ecb7e569f750aa9d31f52a835d)

The green square represents a 5x5 lot... I'm pretty happy with this so far, so it's really just a matter of deciding what I actually want to do with it.  That's about all for now...

JB

Wow JB. It's great to see the University ready for the LEX. Edgren Law School is fantastic as well. I've been watching and waiting. Your work is some of the best in the game.

Nice work Jon. Diggis Hall can cause the EQ to plummet, the Law School will cause health to sink, and the NIMBY effects of both should be enough that if they're both plopped in the same general area, the mayor is immediately ousted by a torch-bearing mob. I like the back patio of the law school, but it might be nice to see some tables back there too, and perhaps a little coffee cart for the consistently caffienated.

I like the new dorm, and I like the idea of a sunken courtyard. Might be interesting with this set of buildings too. In one view, they'll almost completely obscure it, and in another rotation you'll be able to see right into it. It'd make for some interesting variety in pic taking. Also, not sure of the dimensions of the building from the pic, but does the part that provides roof access also contain an elevator in addition to stairs? I'd hate to have to hike to the top floor, but it seems a bit narrow for an elevator.

Great work as always.
-Matt

Quote from: JBSimio on February 21, 2009, 11:13:58 PM
XiahouDun:  Thank you!  I guess you either need to get your DVD then... (or wait a bit longer until this set is nearly finished)  ;)

Once I can get the money :D Had a host of things that needed to take priority over the DVD lately. Like the new computer ;D

The Digis Hall once again its one of my favorite, due its simplicity.

As for the highrise i suggest you some green bushes on the building edges (except on the entrances) that would be better than doing that in LE. Make it simple  :thumbsup:

Great job on the University. Unfortunately, I don't have the dvd so I don't think I'll be able to use these in my cities.  :( :'( Your buildings are marvelous, though. :thumbsup:

Jon just sooo wonderful there!!! What more can I say???

CalibanX:  Thank you!  I really wasn't happy with the Law School originally.  I set it aside for a number of months and just recently came back to it and now I'm much happier with how it came out.

Matt:  Thanks!  Some kind of little food cart might be a nice idea actually... I'll have to dig around and see if I can find or just make one.  The arrangement of Tage Towers has changed, but I think the different rotations will still keep things pretty interesting like you mentioned.  I actually built the elevator shaft before the rest of the building and have since adjusted it to a more appropriate size.

XiahouDun:  Fair enough... I know I ended up spending a lot more money on my move this fall, part of which went towards replacing my desktop that died somewhere between Michigan and Califonia!   :bomb:

Heblem:  Thank you!  I'm not sure how I'm going to "garden" this new building yet... but modeling any shrubs and such would definitely be easier given the odd angles involved.   :thumbsup:

Citycapitalizer:  Thank you!  You'll still get a chance to see these in your cities... it will just take longer.  ;)

Pat:  Thank you!  I guess you can say anything you want really... I'm not going to stop you.  :D

Alright... I spent a lot of time not getting very far with this, but I finally have something worth showing again.  The towers are all textured and lit now.  Unfortunately, I have some really bad light leaks for some reason which I'll have to track down.  I also mocked up the different heights and what will eventually be the final arrangement for the lot... which is now 6x5.  Ultimately, I'll break this back apart and export each piece separately.  So this will probably be the last time you'll see it all together until I get to the lotting process.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FTowers_Preview02.jpg&hash=2cdba69badbd53faaa5a0d86720c93b26ad47eeb)

As you can see, I started the sunken courtyard but it still needs a lot of work.  The biggest issue right now is that I did a horrible job at hiding the underground sections!   ()sad()  The overall arrangement will probably change somewhat as I go along fixing that... but the idea of a foot bridge going over the whole thing will stay in some way, shape, or form.  Pretty much everything else is still up for grabs at this point though.  :D

More next time...
JB

LoL Jon I know I can say alot but if some of the words I was to use might get me a censership hehehehehe.... Don't worry it would all be to the good as it is again another WOW here with the textures applied!!!

Quote from: JBSimio on February 25, 2009, 07:22:02 PM
XiahouDun:  Fair enough... I know I ended up spending a lot more money on my move this fall, part of which went towards replacing my desktop that died somewhere between Michigan and Califonia!   :bomb:

Blame Iowa :D Though good thing about the new computer, going to be working in 3ds Max on my bigger buildings now... once I learn how.

Towers are looking great. Your textures are stunning yet again.

Wow, it's really coming along. :thumbsup: I'm glad it's going to be released. Great job. &apls &apls

Looking nice Jon. My only though is that a more circular sunken area would work better with the round shape of the building arrangement. Aside from that, things seem to be off to a good start.
-Matt

Hey jon, the three lats buildings are just awesome my friend.
I really love the Diggis Hall and the three towers.  &apls

Arthur.  :thumbsup:

Is the university slope-conforming? :thumbsup: &apls

Can you post a pic of the other dorm you finished please? Also, how is the Swan Centre for Business Studies coming along?

Pat:  Thanks!  I guess you're right... we don't need any censorship here... ;)

XiahouDun:  Iowa, huh?  I should have known my cousin was up to something!  :D  Thank you!

Citycapitalizer:  Thank you!  As for your second post... the finished dorms can all be seen on pages one or two.  The Swan Centre for Business Studies hasn't been started yet, so I guess it's not really coming along much at all.  :D

Matt:  Thanks!  Someone else talked about following the "curve" of the buildings on the BSC board as well.  I doubt I'll be doing that because at ground level, the angles don't really apply.  The picture below should explain a little better.

Arthur:  Thank you!  I'm glad you like them.

Le0:  Slope conforming?  Yes and no, I guess.  The path and driveway lots most certainly are slope conforming.  The building lots really are not.  They are slope tolerant to an extent (they won't completely flatten the ground you plop them on) but they don't include any custom foundations, so any slopes need to be quite minor or it starts to get ugly fast.

Back to the shape of the courtyard for a second.  Here's a picture looking straight down at the area between all three towers:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FTowers_LotPlan01.jpg&hash=78e92d52f6a33bbbc085b55a3fa76ee2f8c4ee7b)

As the red line I added shows, when you take the main entry for each tower into account, the building's footprint at ground level is much more square in comparrison to the tops of each tower.  While I could still make the courtyard follow those angles (which would certainly add some interest), I would end up with one of two problems.  First the courtyard would end up far too close to each "front door" of the towers... or second the courtyard would be significantly smaller.  I'm not a big fan of either result, so unless there are other ideas, I'll probably stick to what I've got.

In the meantime, I had a pretty busy weekend and didn't get very far with this.  I did manage to do a test render just to check the underground portions.  The good news is that with a little extra LOD work I am able to hide the underground portions without really changing anything I've done so far.  The bad news is that I have some pretty strange shadow issues going on at the moment:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FTower_CourtyardTest01.jpg&hash=ce17c33464ca7fbb3258d5dbccaa3dc87f466c7f)

Obviously, there shouldn't be any shadow to the left side of those images... but there is something there.  Not sure what it is... but we'll figure that out eventually.

More next time,
JB

But Jon you said I could say anything I wanted too!!! lol

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg91.imageshack.us%2Fimg91%2F7784%2Fdefault.gif&hash=6d81767f8202aea720780c923397173740b27b23)

OK honestly I do have to say the sunken plaza is just stunning work!!! I cant wait to see it finished off!!!!

Pat:  Thanks!  I haven't been very inspired for the sunken plaza recently... so I'll come back to it at some point later.

In the meantime, I did a very simple building to serve as the Campus Security... aka police station.  I'll be the first to admit that this isn't anything all that exciting, but I really didn't think something like this should be all that fancy anyway.  The lotting will definitely add some more interest... it should end up being 2x2 and fully functional.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FCampusSecurity01.jpg&hash=0f61633ac9191d9762696290b795c141f4881dbb)

That's about all for the moment...
JB

That looks great Jon, and reminds me a fair bit of a few public safety buildings I've seen, so great work on that. Looking forward to seeing what the lotting brings.
-Matt

Jon no problem there at all about the lack of intrest in the sunken plaza... The Campus Safty Building is looking real nice and defintly would fit for any campus!!!

Matt:  Thanks!  I'll probably not get to the lotting on that one until next week sometime.

Pat:  Thank you!

Just a sneak preview of the third and final classroom building for EP1.  This will ultimately be the Swan Centre for Business Studies:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview01.jpg&hash=20b0b876eff687faabded88e074f6e35949c1bc0)

Not a whole lot to say at this point yet.  The lower level is actually a partial "basement" level as you'll see later... but it does explain the height of the staircase to the first floor.  I might get another update on this one later tonight, but first I have to run some errands before the trip to LA tomorrow morning.  I'll probably take this one along on the laptop in case inspiration continues to strike.  ;)

More to come...
JB

Looks good Jon.  The campus security building needs a chubby guy in a little golf cart with a donut :)

Coming to LA are you? If you will happen to be around Disneyland, I live near there. I like the new design you have here. It looks a bit different in style from the other buildings. Sort of a bit more contemporary, almost 80s office park (and I mean that in a good way). Then again, that's just the impression I get here without textures. Looking forward to more.
-Matt

Interesting walls there Jon lol!!!

BTW Matt didn't someone make a song like that coming to LA??

Very beautiful &apls

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Shaun:  Thanks!  Hmmm... it might be fun to model a golf cart cop car and get it turned into automata... :D

Matt:  Thank you!  This one definitely has more of that office park feel, which I thought was a fitting design for a business school.  I'm hoping that some of the more contemporary dorms and the DeBussy School will help it to blend in better.  I had a great time as usual down in the southern half of the state, but we never really got over by Disneyland this time.  (We were in Garden Grove a couple times, but never with a lot of extra time to spare)

Pat:  Thank you!

Guillaume:  Thanks!

I'm back home again after a very nice week away.  I managed to get a bit further with this one while I was gone... mostly still sizing things up and getting the general layout arranged.  Here's a look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_West02.jpg&hash=1bac81d705220b66c8d9e5781507d7a086b4aaed)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_North02.jpg&hash=505754662a92a5e812361999c3910ddc6cb41eeb)

There are a couple things I'm not sure about just yet.  The staircase on the side seemed like a good idea at the time and was a perfect fit for later foot paths... but as the building progressed there weren't any more good places to repeat the feature.  Now it just seems to stick out by itself, which I feel looks a little stupid.  So that may or may not stay (probably not, to be honest).  I'm also still trying to sort out the size of the courtyard in the middle of the two wings there.  It strikes me as a bit small right now, but the only way to change that will be if I make the final lot size a touch larger.  It stands at 5x5 in these pictures, but 5x6 is still a very good possibility.  I know some of this is hard to see without the floors or roof on the building, but any thoughts are always most welcome!

JB

Jon I think its looking fine there the stair case... But what I am wondering about is the section that has a big gap??

I'm giddy to see the final product, and inspired to work on a university of my own :lmao: Or some kind of expansion if I thought I could ever do your work justice :-[

Hello JBsimio, Jack wilds here...

Hows life at your end?  its been rather quit here of late... reckon its the spring weather that's keeping you busy...

This is a really good project, its progressing with a number of surprises.  I wish that I had the SC4 disc so thhis project could also be a part of one on of my cities.

A couple of thoughts on the end stairs...
having the door/entry/stairs does make sense on that end of the building however placing a patio that wraps that end of the wing and tie into a courtyard between the wings -which means an elevated type of court yard affording another entry in to the opposite wing,
or...
just keep the patio feature to the one wing with a tree or two a couple of picnic tables and a thematic feature.

Well enough for now, trust that RL is treating well...

Jack

Count me among those who are VERY excited to see this set take shape. You are the master of education!

Pat:  Thank you!  I think the gap will make a little more sense now that I've closed things up.  ;)

XiahouDun:  Thanks so much!

Jack:  RL got a little hectic here (as I'm sure a lot of people guessed... :D )  I've changed the building around quite a bit, but I think a couple of your ideas may have made it into the new layout.  Thanks!

Benvoliothefirst:  Thank you!

Well... I obviously got a bit sidetracked over the last month or so.  I finally had the urge and enough time to pick this up again and ended up changing quite a few things about the building.  Here's the latest:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview03A.jpg&hash=6d5de6877c6023f2aa4c973b2e045e23ed91f580)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview03B.jpg&hash=62f51873c902575c094ff1337058d1ab8854aad6)

I think this layout will work a bit better than what I started with.  I still need to add the skylights and model the sunken courtyard here, but that should be the last of the major pieces.  Everything else will be smaller details after that.  Still a fair bit to go, but it's coming along...  ;)

JB

Hello JB, Jack wilds here...

Glad to hear from you, knowing that all is well in RL for the most part.   :thumbsup:

Like the building a lot better, taking the court yard down and sending the 'balcony-walk' around the perimeter ties it together better, it looks better defined, appears deeper...  it reminds me of a science Bldg. at a UW-campus. 

Then setting the entries back give it some architectural appeal in spite of those lean budget years, -thats how it appears plain, conservative utility with a little flair -something needed to fit the bill but not too fancy... at least they kept the gardens in the budget.  Perhaps the campus has a horticultural-agriculture-landscape program that maitains all these gardens...  ::)  :) imaginings gone amuck...  ;D

Sunken courtyards seem to be a common thing thru-out the Clayhurst campus... could a bloomin' cherry tree be placed in this court yard's center... ()what()

Peace and health from the northwoods

Jack  :satisfied:

Jon again another master piece from you is truly taking place!!! BTW I did finally cough up 32 bucks and donated but waiting is killing me for the Clayhurst lol

Wow, your batting two beautiful buildings at the same time! What kind of evil batting machine are you  :o

This really needs to be released on the LEX!!!!

You really need to get a copy of the DVD!!!

Quote from: M4346 on August 05, 2009, 12:22:31 PM
You really need to get a copy of the DVD!!!

I must second Marius...

The bandwidth we use for SC4D certainly isn't free and this DVD helps offset Jeroni's massive costs to keep our favorite website up and running.

Cheers,
Kevin

Not only that, my suggestion was actually based more on the fact that the DVD is incredibly handy, and makes the installation and management of your plugins (through a nifty little LEXplorer) very easy.

I really love my copy of the DVD, everything I need on a single disc, ready and friendly to use.

I'm a South African student and I scraped together just over ZAR350 to get it, but it was definitely worth it!

Quote from: M4346 on August 05, 2009, 02:21:25 PM
...and makes the installation and management of your plugins (through a nifty little LEXplorer) very easy.

Plugin management?! What's that?! I'm a professional scrutineer...we don't need no stinkin' plugin management.  :D

Cheers,
Kevin

This is amazing. I'll be sure to download these spectacular bats!

*waits patiently for the University to hit the LEX*

Dont wanna do that too long there Shardz's you might turn blue lol

I never said I was holding my breath, just being patient XD.

Well now, it's been a while here again, hasn't it?   &ops

Jack:  The sunken courtyard may seem to be a theme on campus, but it also tends to disappear from the final versions of many buildings.  :D  I'm not sure what kind of plantings will end up in this particular courtyard, but it shouldn't be too much longer before we find out.

Pat:  Thank you!  I'm glad you finally got your DVD even if it was a few months ago now!  :D  I hope you've been enjoying all the fun little toys that came with it!

Merijn:  Apparently a very inefficient evil batting machine given how long it's been since I had an update here!  ;)

Bluemoose:  I know!!!  What in the world is going on around this place?!?

M:  You're absolutely right!!!  (Nice to see you around again, by the way)

Kevin:  I spend enough time trying to manage the monkeys in the basement... I don't have time for plugin management either.  :D

Darraghf:  Thank you!

Dragonshardz:  We here at JBSimio, Inc sincerely appreciate your patience.

Pat:  Blue dragons!  Yikes!!!   ()lurker()

Dragonshardz:  Glad to hear that, because while we do sincerely appreciate your patience, we also cannot be responsible for any adverse medical conditions which may occur as a result of this thread.  I'm sure you understand...  ;)

Alright... so I've been sidetracked, derailed, and otherwise very occupied this summer as I'm sure most of you have figured out by now.  But most of you dear regulars know that this is just how summer goes for me, so thank you as always for bearing with me.  We should be getting back into the swing of things here very shortly.

The big question that seems to keep coming up is "When will this hit the LEX?  (I mean, come on, it's been more than two years for cryin out loud!  What the oomph is Jon's deal anyway?)"  There are two fairly common answers to this question and I think both of them apply quite well here.  "When it's ready."  and  "Release is imminent."  ;)

In the meantime, I have done some more work on the Swan Centre for Business Studies, but I don't have a picture to show at the moment.  (This may or may not be because I'm currently at work.)  As far as Expansion Pack 1 goes, here is the remaining to do list:

Functional Classroom Buildings

• Matthew Edgren Law School - modeled, lotted, awaiting final modding
• DeBussy School of Engineering and Design - modeled, lotted, awaiting final modding
• Swan Centre for Business Studies - 80% modeled

Dormitory Buildings

• Payce Rooker Hall - modeled, lotted, awaiting final modding
• Stropon Hall - modeled, lotted, awaiting final modding
• Diggis Hall - modeled, lotted, awaiting final modding
• Tage Towers - modeled and waiting to be exported (final render)
• Winterton Hall - 90% modeled

Additional Support Buildings

• Campus Security - modeled, lotted, awaiting final modding
• Campus Fire Station - modeled, lotted, awaiting final modding
• University Commuter Station - hasn't been started yet
• Alternative Library - (possibly specific to the law school, not sure though) hasn't been started yet

That should really cover the next pack unless anyone has some suggestions which they feel I may have missed.  (Bear in mind that there are at least two additional packs planned, so there may be things which I've already thought of but won't be putting in this particular pack... feel free to ask away, though!)  In all honesty, even with three things not even under construction yet, there shouldn't be all that much work to do before this one is ready to go.  Two of those three lots will be quite small and easy to make... the modding will probably take the longest.

Anyway, that's where things stand at the moment.  I should have something to show in the next several days again.

JB

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

Its awesome to hear from someone finally... been rather quiet of late as in a library silent  :D -opps did I laugh too loud  :D ::)
As for wish list request I'm asking for an engineering department (civil, enviromental, mechanical, design, architecture, the like) to be added on campus, as you know sim cities are in serious need of good compitent engineers that can support a shovel on a street project near you.  ;D

As I did when I had a decent job  &mmm

...and now its a loong wait for 'obama's stimiulus' to finally hit the pavement here...politics! its for the birds, long on promising talk -never answering your questions... short on action.

off topic: I also have a question, if you don't know perhaps some one else will... its 'writing' here and in  the yahoo 'write-compose', the cursor jumps. It jumps mid word, mid statement, thoughts scrambled its very annoying upsetting >:(, any thoughts... ()what()

Any who, good to hear from you

Jack  :satisfied:

Whoa! Good to see some movement around these parts on the part of the creator!  ;D

Definitely looking forward to these!  :thumbsup:

Finally more activity here!

Being a physician, Medical/Dental/Nursing and Health Sciences Buildings would certainly be neat to have. This could obviously wait until one of the later expansion packs.  ;D

Dunno how I missed this... I'm glad to see the Clayhurst expansion moving ahead despite the downturn in the economy...!

Quote from: CabraBuitre on August 14, 2009, 09:35:43 PM
I'm glad to see the Clayhurst expansion moving ahead despite the downturn in the economy...!

Well duh, it's stimulus money in action  :thumbsup:

Looking forward to these new buildings. That's going to be a lot of stuff for one expansion pack.

Jack:  Good to see you as well, my friend!  There is already a finished building that I will be using for the engineering school.  There should be pictures on page one or two of this thread somewhere.   :thumbsup:

M:  Thanks!

Citycapitalizer:  Yes... I'm finally starting to get back in the swing of things again.

Simdad:  A medical school and hospital are definitely on the planning boards.  I'm not sure if it will be in the following (second) pack or the third though.

CabraBuitre:  Bah... the economy shouldn't impact Clayhurst much.  The school enjoys a very strong alumni association... many of whom have done extremely well for themselves (like the Maloney family... founders of the Swan Group).  While many of these people's stock portfolios did indeed take a hit during the last couple years, it hardly made them poor.  They're just not quite as rich as they used to be.  :D  The donations continue to pour in nonetheless.

Chibytuga:  It should be a pretty good sized package again, yes.  Although nothing like the 50-some lots that came with the starter pack!

Alright... this update was a little slower than I had hoped.  It also isn't quite as big of an update as I had hoped.  But it is an update no matter how you look at it:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview04.jpg&hash=c34948bf53fd628162d899e5b860f1efd76a071e)

I've managed to sort out the courtyard and put most of the plantings in place.  There is still a bit of fine tuning to do, and I also need to fill in the upper landing with something.  I'm thinking about some kind of sculpture and some benches?  Not sure yet.  After that, I think it's just a matter of finishing off the roof and making the textures.

Til then!
JB

Hey JB!

That building reminds me a LOT of a bunch of the buildings where I go to school (Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills, MI). They were all built in the mid-1980s using the recessed windows and exterior walkways like you've modeled there and I think that upper landing leading into the sunken courtyard may be best suited with just benches. That would potentially be a high-traffic area and it would be more realistic to leave it relatively clear. Just a thought - I go to a building like that nearly every day when I'm in school so it's something I see a lot of. It looks really true to the style!

-Tony

Looks like this building will be completed soon.

Tony:  Thank you!  I was trying to get a very generic style with the business school and it sounds like it worked out pretty well!  Good point about the upper landing... I think I will indeed leave that area fairly open.

Citycapitalizer:  Well... it should be anyway...  ::)  :D

I've had some motivational issues lately... namely the lack thereof.  I find myself itching to BAT while I'm at work, but then by the time I finally get home I no longer feel like it.  I'm hoping that will change soon and that I can start to get some things finished.  In the meantime, I decided to export the campus security building and start on the lot.  This isn't completely finished yet, but the general layout is in place.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FCampusSecurity03.jpg&hash=d05f6f3a1b4dc6693a147df762d314e1b09618b7)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FCampusSecurity02.jpg&hash=9831a7c12e0201837ece01303bd1d485c1ec8646)

Forgive the blotchy parts near the bottom.  That seems to be an ongoing issue with my graphics card that I just can't seem to get rid of.  (I'm hoping no one else sees these things on my buildings when you download them!)  Still a few final details to add... maybe some people and what not as well as fixing the display name in the query... but this should be pretty close to the final thing.  This lot will also feature custom "campus security" vehicle skins which were very generously donated by Nerdly_dood and are currently being modded by Swamper.  A huge thank you to both of them!  I'll be sure to show the final version later when all the finishing touches are in place.

That's about all for now...
JB

I'm very much looking forward to building a university when these get done.

But, take your time.

Quote from: JBSimioI've had some motivational issues lately... namely the lack thereof.

I know this all too well....

The campus security centre looks very nice, excellent BAT, excellent lot as well. Not many people have such a talent for both.

Joelyboy:  Thank you!

Continuing in the quick and simple category...  ::)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FCampusFire01.jpg&hash=bbc623c0298a5b53432003510ac16f857fb653fe)

Not really much to say on this one.  I think it pretty much speaks for itself.  :D

More to come...
JB

Very nice work! They would also work fine as regular police and fire departments in any small town. :)

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

Glad to see and hear that there is some ca-motion of activity from your neck of the redwoods, too many slackers over there -ya know  :D  'jest teasin...  :P

I concur Andreas comment as they would look good as small town services. 

Really am enjoying the progress on Clayhurst, its such a neat project... I did find the 'design-engineering' department -Clayhurst has financial aid, right? so sign me up for a BS in CE to be a PE


From the Fox Valley

Jack

Andreas:  Thank you!  A modern set of small town services sounds like a very good idea.  I'll definitely make some alternate "standard" versions for that purpose.

Jack:  Thanks!  Consider your application approved... an admissions and welcoming packet should be arriving in Wisconsin shortly.  ;)

Alright... so the little buildings were just what I needed.  (Along with a day off, of course!)  I decided it was about time to wrap up the Swan Centre for Business Studies...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview05.jpg&hash=74e2ec7daa5e1d1899d4d256da894319ca824c78)

OK... OK... so it's not actually finished yet, but it's getting there!  Still a fair bit of textures to be made and a couple seen here that I'm not very happy with.  (The railing textures will definitely be changed)  I also haven't added and floors or interior walls yet, so the windows should still brighten up before this is all said and done.  Either way... things are moving forward again.  ;)

JB

You just continue to impress :D

JBSimio, can you check to see if those doors are wide enough for some of the Ripptide Fire trucks? (especially the American ones?) Thanks.

Jon I am speechless here wow!!!  :thumbsup:

Something big is coming...  ;)

JB

Maybe...public release of the university?

Well, he said "big", but the university files are a mere 2.5 MB in compressed form...

I was thinking "big" in awesomeness and amount of epic included, not file size.

Which reminds me, I need to get another hard drive. 250GB has filled up a LOT faster than expected. Good thing my birthday is next month.

Well apparently the "something big" ended up being a pretty huge battle with RL for a while.  I knew it was going to be a busy month, but that was just ridiculous!  With my humblest apologies for yet another delay, Monkey Around Productions proudly presents...


Enjoy!
JB

Fantastic news Jon.   &apls

Well worth waiting for.. :)

Just dl'd it and look forward to seeing it "in-game".. I really don't much like the Maxis one, though its ok.. but this one..!!! vunderbar

I am really impressed! You have done a lot of work for this and I think it will be a most welcome addition to the game.

Congratulations and thanks!  :thumbsup:

 &apls &aplsExcellent news and great to see that you did it mate. A super work Thanks :thumbsup:

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

Thank-you, greatly appreciated...
as today was less than a stellar day...  ()sad()
this job search, wanting soo bad for a new, better career track, is such a drag...  &mmm

then I find a gift on my door step -thank-you   :)

Jack  :satisfied:

Wonderful!  A modular university will be a great addition to my plugins!  It looks great as well!

I'm so excited.  This is an outstanding project and all the models and lots looks great.  It almost makes me want to go back to college.  Almost.  ;)

Thanks for releasing this.

my anti-virus program will not let me open .said something wrong

                                          Please let me know

[Mod edit. Email address removed for privacy reasons]        Thanks

   Yay!!! I was wondering about this... The first steps into the main hall of a better University is finally here... Thanks much. :) Patience pays off... ;)

Quote from: terrydavis44 on October 29, 2009, 03:01:51 PM
my anti-virus program will not let me open .said something wrong

That happens sometimes, for an unknown reason. Most likely, there's some code in the ClickTeam installer that looks similar like a virus or something. Just ignore the warning. :)

Wow.. just made it through your nice doc's on it.. this is a SWEET item.. My one comment wasn't enough.. you and your "consulting team" deserve congrats on a far-reaching and well-integrated "university system"  :)   :thumbsup:

This is pretty awsome!  I've tried to do something like this with various downloaded lots but it just looks like a hodge-hodge of thrown togather lots with the maxis uni in the middle... because it was!  I can't wait for the EPs.  Quick question though, do the walkways and driveways count as road access for the buildings or do I need a real road?

Kyle

Great work, Jon! I take it this is the same set that is on the LEX DVD? Or does it include your newest buildings as well? Either way, it's great that Clayhurst is now available to everyone, no donations required. :thumbsup:

Wow...this week just keeps getting better. Well worth the wait.

I just happened to stumble upon this thread... and boy, am I glad I did.  This stuff looks great, and I've been wanting to add some more to the in-game university since there's just not much to it.  Awesome stuff!

Robin:  Thanks... I'm pretty happy it's finally up there too!  ;)

SC4Boy:  Thank you!  And thank you also for mentioning "my team" as well.  I definitely could not have managed something of this size without a lot of help.

Schulmanator:  Thank you!

Kimcar:  Thanks!  Your LEX comment about a couple months was a touch off though... it's been more like a couple years now!  :D

Jack:  Thank you!  I'm sorry to hear that things have been a little rough lately and I hope they will improve for you soon, my friend.

Battlecat:  Thank you!

Hooha47:  Thanks!  I've had a couple moments when I almost wanted to go back to college too... but this will be enough for me, I think!  ;)

Terrydavis:  As Andreas said, I'm sure you are just getting a false report.  I downloaded the final installers from Andreas with no problems and then downloaded a test from here myself also with no issues.

Tamorr:  Thanks!  I was starting to wonder about it myself... :D

Andreas:  Thank you again for all your help with this and all the education packs!

Kyle:  Thank you!  I also remember making my own campus with whatever landmarks I could find, but I never liked the results.  The paths and driveways do not count as road access so you will need actual streets for any of the functional buildings you choose to place.

Zack:  Thank you!  This first release is what shipped with the DVD yes.  The new buildings will be part of the next expansion pack.

Dragonshardz:  Thank you!

Jgehrts:  Thanks!

As I mentioned earlier, I had really hoped to do this public release a lot sooner.  My original plan had been to make it around Labor Day as a sort of "back to school" type of thing.  Unfortunately, one thing led to another and that just didn't happen.  (I see that it has already passed 200 downloads so thank you all so much!)  Either way... life for me here should get a little easier again and I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things now.  With that in mind... I've nearly finished the Swan Centre for Business Studies:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview06A.jpg&hash=439cf4108a60b4f79c7c04251e872161e88ad1c0)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview06B.jpg&hash=69040e6dbe65cdadc1117fe5f5acc7a55da436e0)

I'm pretty happy with the day shots.  The only thing I see here that might need some tweaking is the roof texture.  Maybe just a little more noise and smudging or something.  I got a pretty decent start on the lighting as well:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview06C.jpg&hash=a9a3f5f745413d05bfc92554c25965b62f093797)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview06D.jpg&hash=8391e8ebc27a351939245210d37e1d423b714822)

I have a few more adjustments to make here.  There are a couple areas that I'm not quite happy with and one or two lights I forgot (like the sign on the back wall).  For the most part I think it came out pretty well for the first pass.

More to come...
JB

Congratulations on the wonderful university pack, it is excellent work and will be a great pleasure to use!

The Swan Center is a great BAT and very convincingly done. The roof actually has more roofjunk than most buildings of this type, but perhaps you could "stripe" the texture lightly to indicate the joints of overlapping roofing material, to give another layer of visual interest. The intensity of the lamps in the entry court is a bit harsh in the night render, they could be lowered a bit. Otherwise, it's great!

Wonderful!

Excellent BAT... I downloaded the Pack of the LEX as soon as I could, I can hardly wait for the expansions...

Havva good one.  :thumbsup:

Wonderful university pack!!! And I want more packs. :)

Wonderfull bat.

Your work continues to astound me. Phenomenal all around. I agree with gottago... the lights around the walkways do seem a bit bright, but I would have to see them against some surrounding buildings to be able to tell... it may just be that the other classroom lights are too dim in comparison.

this is the best ever and im using it right now but i have one problem  ()what() its missing a very basic piece. a wide path corner. hopefully ur reading this and youll add it in later but in the mean time, this is EPIC

Quote from: JBSimio on October 30, 2009, 12:20:43 AM


Kimcar:  Thanks!  Your LEX comment about a couple months was a touch off though... it's been more like a couple years now!  :D
JB

:-[Oups you are right my mistake . Time go so fast ;D

I have a gift for you all...bright, shiny DAMN menus for the U of C! Attached at the bottom. Also included is an icon for the SSPTool based on Stefan97's avatar!

Download removed, some errors were in the DAMN menu. Soon as I get LEX access I'll post the corrected version on it.

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

I like  this bat-model of the business center, its all good.  Particularly the court yard and the landing.  Don't think think that the landing lights are that bright as it probably be dimmer appearing in the game.  Like the trees in the court yard, and the wrap around balcony and the entries with  the window walls. It just looks neat.  Can't really judge the textures though... but I like it  :thumbsup:

A few thoughts though, perhaps there could be a couple of water pooling marks here and there, just a slight off-color area organic in shape... not too many now as your at the point of becoming too much...

or perhaps a couple of signs of life on the roof...

as in Ollie the maintenance man (a U of C fixture -that everyone student body would miss) keeps pigeons up there a well kept secret everyone knows about, as he trains them to dive bomb "favorite" professors...  :D

or communications stuff -as it is a business center communications is a part it,

Then there is placing a name on the building as you mentioned, however I'm wondering what naming-labeling conventions you'll use for the campus.  As some campuses use just letters or number or letters and numbers for the building ID-ing and then the building would be named or not or have an active alumni that loves having things named after them - I claim a Natural resources/agriculture center named after me  :P :,

Then I would like a 'politically-correct free' zone for a large campus wide Christmas Tree sponsored by the student body -I think PEG has a good one.  As when I was on campus our student body bought a Christmas tree and then decorated it and then it was removed as it was 'politically incorrect'...  >:( yet no one complained according to the powers that be.  We showed them how and why it was ok to do so but they held to there politically correct muddy ground.  ???  ::) at any rate we were too busy with semester finals for a battle...  &mmm

...I'm thinking that when you lot this, that the connections for the walks will be installed...  ;)

super stuff JB,

Jack  :satisfied:

Quote from: shermankim777 on October 30, 2009, 03:07:35 PM
...its missing a very basic piece. a wide path corner...

I'm puzzled by this as there is no place to put a wide path corner that I see.. perhaps you're seing something I'm not.. also recall that these are "BSC Park compatible" .. so feel free to add any of those lots (including a kagillion path pieces)..

Quote from: SC4BOY on October 31, 2009, 03:59:50 PM
I'm puzzled by this as there is no place to put a wide path corner that I see.. perhaps you're seing something I'm not.. also recall that these are "BSC Park compatible" .. so feel free to add any of those lots (including a kagillion path pieces)..

i dont understand what ur saying

I'm saying that if you use the lots in the package, there is no place to put a "corner wide path" if I understand what you're saying.. maybe a picture would help. The BSC parks (downloadable from the LEX) use a texture set (just as are used in this package) which will match these. If you use those park pieces, among which are included path pieces, you can mix and match them with these to make a HUGE variety of "campus" scenerios.

I just discovered this! Never gonna use the Maxis University again!

   This is a good work on the Business Section, and I'd have to agree that the roof texture is a bit plain look... maybe some gradient darker splotches to create variance would help.  Are the classrooms even lit? If they are, then maybe a bit too dim like someone else said, as the central area I see as just fine for lighting. I'm not saying the classrooms should be as bright as the courtyard area, but only saying a tad bit more intensity I think is the term, not a whole lot. Looking good so far though. :)

   Anyways, keep up the great work. :thumbsup:

I must say Bravo to you JBSimo for all of your work thus far on making sc4 have very realistic looking schools. Your schools and college's have made making realistic neighborhoods all the more fun. This latest one for your University looks quite nice I hope you continue the university project til ya feel bored of it  :P

Longtime lurker, first time poster. I had to come out of the woodwork for this one....

JBSimio, this is really an awesome project. The game really needed it and you're going an unbelievable job. THANK YOU! Props to the support team, as well.

If I could offer some feeble ideas for some of the future expansion packs....

- Athletic facilities: Namely a football stadium and basketball arena. Kind of a big project, but so is creating an entire university from scratch so...Anyway, it wouldn't have to be a huge stadium like Michigan, Tennessee and the like....just a smaller on campus stadium. A basketball arena like Cameron Indoor Arena (Duke) would be amazing, too.

- Fraternity, sorority houses: Would definitely give a college feel, for better or worse.
- Presidents house
- A creative arts center: I'm using my own university's terminology here...basically, a large theater for plays, performances, etc and several art galleries
-Other than that, just more eye candy filler buildings...classrooms and libraries and such....especially in the older, more traditional style. Like the original release.

Once again, fantastic job with this. What you (and your team) has done so far is amazing!

Gottago:  Thank you!  I will definitely touch up the roof some more and the courtyard lighting has already been adjusted.

Adroman:  Thanks!  I'll try to keep on track with the expansions so the wait isn't as long as this one was!  ;)

Bobbi:  Thank you!  I can promise at least three expansion packs to come... and that's just what I have planned right now so far.

Earthquake:  Thank you!

Benvoliothefirst:  Thanks!  The courtyard lights were an adjustment I knew about before even posting these pictures.  I simply ran out of time to wait for new preview renders.  ;)

Shermankim:  Thank you!  For some reason, I never even thought of a corner piece for the wides paths.  Thank you for pointing that out... I will definitely add it to the list!   :thumbsup:

Kimcar:  It's hard for me to believe how long I've been on this project too... :D

Dragonshardz:  Thank you!  Are these the DAMN menus that Freedo had done a few months back?  (I confess I haven't even looked at them yet, sorry)

Jack:  Thank you!  A little pooling on the roof probably wouldn't hurt, although I want to keep a mostly "newer construction" look about the place so it should stay fairly subtle.  Signing for most campus buildings is actually done with little blue signs.  (You'll see them on every building lot in the game if you look closely)  I thought about doing a couple "holiday" lots with different timed props... or maybe a student protest stage, etc etc etc.  Lots of ideas and not as muc time as I'd like to have.  ;)

SC4Boy & Shermankim:  Talk amongst yourselves... I don't want to interrupt, but merely point out that I'm not ignoring you either.  ;)

Westamastaflash:  Glad you like it!

Tamorr:  Thanks!  The classrooms are lit, but becuase the windows are all set so deep and many beneath overhangs, there really isn't as much to see from the SC4 angle.  The use of Gizmo's night mod also makes a big difference in how well the lighting will show up.

SimNation:  Thank you!  My list is too long for me to get bored... :D

PrestonCo:  Thank you and welcome to the world of posting!  ;)  Suggestions are always most welcome.  Athletic facilities... without saying too much, I will tell you that EP2 will certainly include some (I currently have three planned... maybe even started).  I've thought about a Greek row off and on several times and am mostly still arguing with myself about the best approach to the idea.  A president's house and several other ideas have also been in my mind for a set of "alumni gifts."  I originally did have a School of Performing Arts building scheduled for this first expansion pack.  Unfortuanately, the model became corrupted and my backup copy was on the computer that died near the same time.  Rather than starting it over, I opted for this Business School instead.  I will come back to the other one at some point though.

I don't actually have anything new to show tonight.  Covington has taken up a bit of my time lately and I have groups arriving in camp tomorrow which will keep me busy the rest of the week.  I mostly wanted to catch up on replies before I got too far behind.

Since several people got the ball rolling already, I also wanted to take this opportunity to encourage any additional ideas you may have.  Now that the first set is out there for everyone to use, please let me know what kind of pieces you think might be missing.  I'm particularly interested in hearing about missing path pieces or additional quad arrangements, other "non-building" campus lots and things of that nature.  Of course, I'm willing to hear any suggestions, but those are the ones that are going to be hard for me to guess at.  Thanks again for all the support with this project!

Til next time...
JB

Actually, no, they're DAMN menus I created myself using the SSPTool. Did Freedo create a menu set for UoC already? I must've missed it.

Quote from: dragonshardz on November 04, 2009, 05:44:03 AM
Actually, no, they're DAMN menus I created myself using the SSPTool. Did Freedo create a menu set for UoC already? I must've missed it.

He was working on them in August, not sure if he ended up releasing them, last I remember they were in testing.

   Have you ever though of making a special building for the Basics, as in one for those that haven't passed certain courses in High school. I know Delta Colege has something to this effect. Of course it has been a long time since I've been there and fogotten how they divided up the place.

   I was thinking a big building for all the basic classes like Math 101, English 2b, etc... the low level classes that are requirements for the much more specific courses that also have designated areas.
   Maybe also a building for the Fine Arts of Cooking can be another idea, which would be courses from basic cooking to the level of Hell's Kitchen. After all I know some do have a quadrent specific to such in some places.
   Also maybe a Language department, One that teaches many of the languages out there including some language course from Latin, Hebrew, and Japanese/Chinese based languages...
   This is all I can think of at the moment as I believe you already mentioned one for a computer technology department & Engineering one as well.... :)

JBSimio.  What you have acheived here is extraordinary.  How many more platitudes can I use that has not already been stated by your other fans.   I believe this work places you in a "class" by yourself.   I can only imagine the amount of time it took for you to complete these works of art.   Selfishly, I will say it was time well spent.

Previously, you had requested feedback of ideas that could be included in your expansion pack(s).  I hope that the request is still open for I have a few which may, or may not, have been mentioned already:   university stadium (something bowl-shaped which were quite common in the early 1900s); on-campus basketball arena/gym (nothing too large); an university bookstore; student union that houses cafes, lounge areas, large meeting areas, arcades, etc.; and most of your classical campuses always seems to have that one center peice that can be seen from a distance,such as a clock tower.

Let me echo will62russ's suggestions (especially the clock tower idea), although I'm sure most of them are already on your to-do list for the U of C. As I recall, though, the starter pack that you recently released on the LEX contains a student center with a gym, but perhaps Will had an indoor arena in mind - something like my alma mater's famous Pauley Pavilion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauley_Pavilion), except better-looking :D One thing I'll point out is that you could potentially combine the student union and bookstore, as is the case at such campuses as my alma mater. Whatever you end up making, you'll definitely have my support, as your work is top-notch!

Quote from: tamorr on November 04, 2009, 01:23:09 PM
   Have you ever though of making a special building for the Basics, as in one for those that haven't passed certain courses in High school. I know Delta Colege has something to this effect. Of course it has been a long time since I've been there and fogotten how they divided up the place.

   I was thinking a big building for all the basic classes like Math 101, English 2b, etc... the low level classes that are requirements for the much more specific courses that also have designated areas.
   Maybe also a building for the Fine Arts of Cooking can be another idea, which would be courses from basic cooking to the level of Hell's Kitchen. After all I know some do have a quadrent specific to such in some places.
   Also maybe a Language department, One that teaches many of the languages out there including some language course from Latin, Hebrew, and Japanese/Chinese based languages...
   This is all I can think of at the moment as I believe you already mentioned one for a computer technology department & Engineering one as well.... :)

I like this idea.  Maybe even go so far as to make it act like a highschool with a large radius?

Quote from: tamorr on November 04, 2009, 01:23:09 PM
      I was thinking a big building for all the basic classes like Math 101, English 2b, etc... the low level classes that are requirements for the much more specific courses that also have designated areas.
   Maybe also a building for the Fine Arts of Cooking can be another idea, which would be courses from basic cooking to the level of Hell's Kitchen. After all I know some do have a quadrent specific to such in some places.
   Also maybe a Language department, One that teaches many of the languages out there including some language course from Latin, Hebrew, and Japanese/Chinese based languages...
   This is all I can think of at the moment as I believe you already mentioned one for a computer technology department & Engineering one as well.... :)

Sounds more like a Technical College... $%#Ninj2 as in WIS there is the UW-system and the TECH-system,

I went via the TECH-way now have 4-associates, several certifications, and two TECH-diplomas... but what do I have to show but pieces of paper, debt and an unexpected drawn out job search BUT it was all good got to serve with FVTC-SGA, Editor to the Campus paper for few semesters.  FVTC has a nationally rated police academy, culinary arts program, KUKA automation labs, an international program with Japan, Latin America, and a couple of African countries, plus a lot more programs... the student body is around 8000 now having broke several enrollment records this passed year.

I really like this campus JB, as I have made a few incarnations of it... recon the Sims are wondering 'what the..!' as its torn down and rebuilt, several times...  ::)  The business center is good as far as I can see... hope to be plopping this in for yet another campus redo...

Jack  :satisfied:

Jack

Looks like it's a good thing I plopped the uni in a relatively unpopulated area. It'll have plenty of room to expand.

Can't wait for the first add-on pack to be released.

Wow JB! Thank you for releasing this onto the LEX. I'm excited to get to work.

Take care.

Geoff

thanks for putting this on the LEX, I have seen it used in cities and wanted it.  I'm at a loss though, I can't find the pathways/parking things at all. what menu are they under?

I believe they are at the very bottom of the Landmarks Menu...

Tamorr:  Thank you for the ideas!  The three classroom buildings in the starter pack are what I would consider general education buildings for the basics as you've described.  That being said, I will probably make a few more buildings (more modern styles for variety) which are modded the same way to increase the capacity for the basic required courses.  I'll get to your other ideas in a moment.  ;)

Will62russ:  Thank you!  The athletic facilities you've mentioned are already in the works for EP2... I don't want to give away the specifics just yet, but there will be definitely be three (maybe more?) sports venues.  A student union is included in the starter pack, although again, I may make an alternate at some point with a more modern look.  I like the idea of some more public areas and will certainly keep that in mind.  I hadn't thought specifically of a clock tower... mostly because Olson Academic Center has one... but I may find a way to work something like that in.

Zack:  Since I've covered most of what you said, I'll just say thank you!  :D

Tilarium:  I'm hadn't thought of modding any Clayhurst buildings as high schools, although the idea has some merit.  There are many community colleges which offer advanced level courses to high school students to give them a "jump start" on college levels... so it makes sense.  Hmm... it may boil down to the modding... I'll have to look into it.

Jack:  Thank you!  Try not to confuse the freshman class too much, will you?  :D

Dragonshardz:  Yes... depending on how big you want to go, this could take up a lot of space.  The beauty is that you can use as much or as little as you want to.

Geoff:  Glad to help!  (I kept telling you it would get there eventually... ;))

Twak:  As Adroman said, the path and driveways (along with the quad lots) are indeed located in the landmark menu.  I could have sworn I put that in the readme, but it looks as though I missed it.  My apologies for the confusion.

Once again, I must apologize that I haven't been adding to this thread lately.  Things have been busy and I just can't seem to stay in "University mode" for long when I do have the time.  This is actually strange because I have a lot of ideas that I find myself itching to get started on, but then as soon as I sit down to do so, the motivation quickly fades.   &mmm  Anyway... I have a lot more free time starting tomorrow and I honestly hope to get some things done and show them here soon.

In the meantime, what with all the different suggestions and ideas coming out, I want to take a moment to explain (just a little) about how these different classroom buildings are modded.  This is actually what determines which specific courses (degree majors?) I decide to do.  First off, all three classroom buildings in the starter are modded in ways similar to the Maxis university... they provide upper level education along with other city benefits... and are essentially what I would call "general education."  In reality, the game doesn't actually give me any options to be any more specific than that.  So what makes the Swan Centre a business school... or the DeBussy building a school of engineering... Matthew Edgren Law School?  In these three cases, it will be relief caps.  The business school will increase CO$$ and CO$$$ demand more than usual.  The engineering school will give a higher than normal boost to I-HT.  The law school will do whatever the Maxis bureau of bureaucracy does (or something... I haven't actually worked that one out yet).  A future school of medicine will also serve as a hospital, the future fine arts building may give benefits similar to those given by the Maxis opera house...etc etc etc.  The point of all this is that, while I'm not against the idea of a culinary school or a language center, I'm not sure what kind of additional benefits they would provide the city from the modding standpoint.  In reality, I could make a bunch of general education buildings and you can call them whatever you want them to be.  Depending on how far this goes, there could be classrooms like culinary or languages that serve to trigger a specific reward building not directly related to the university.  Perhaps someone else would want to make an uber-impressive embassy building and then mod it as a reward which can only be unlocked if the language center is in place?  Just thinking aloud on that one...

I'll try to be back soon with some progress... two long posts without pictures is just not right!  ;)

JB

PS... University of Clayhurst passed 1000 downloads from the LEX sometime today.  Thanks everyone!!! :thumbsup:

Haven't posted in here lately, but I have been keeping an eye on the progress. About modding for the Matthew Edgren Law School, how about it reduces crime, and acts like... perhaps the police kiosk? A suggestion. And thanks for producing this project.

EDIT: Got some more ideas. The language center could help boost tourism, and the culinary arts could

QuoteDepending on how far this goes, there could be classrooms like culinary or languages that serve to trigger a specific reward building not directly related to the university.  Perhaps someone else would want to make an uber-impressive embassy building and then mod it as a reward which can only be unlocked if the language center is in place?  Just thinking aloud on that one...

act as the reward trigger.

JBSimio-

Instead of the clock tower as an option, how about a classy water tower with the school name on it.  You see that a bit with large universities in rural areas?

I view University of Clayhurst, with it's red-brick facade buildings, as kind or an Ivy League school.  That being said, I believe any sports facilities used should be more understated instead of those mega-facilities you find at University of Michigan, USC, etc.

Just some of my thoughts.

Quote from: citycapitalizer on November 29, 2009, 03:16:36 PM
...
EDIT: Got some more ideas. The language center could help boost tourism, and the culinary arts could  act as the reward trigger.

I believe this would work, Also the Culinary could add some health benifits, as in the other Hell's Kitchten series where he was helping restaurants get in the green by cleaning them up theoretically and help them make actual food that was a bit more healthy than what they did have... To each right is a good sign to living longer and healthier... So it could be another version of health to some degree... Is there a property that just boosts health in the area slightly? I don't know but definatley would work for the culinary....

   Language providing tourism is I believe a good idea as well... and possibly put into a reward chain latter on for a building that hasn't been made yet. Either way it would be feasible to some degree.... :)

-will62russ

the style of architecture doesn't mean the sports complex cannot be EPIC. think of notre dame and michigan, both have great football stadiums and fantastic academics.

i want my school to be a football powerhouse.  :thumbsup:

fantastic work jb!

-garrett

Wow? I've always been annoyed with the Maxis Uni, huge and springing fully formed in my tiny city; the modular approach is much more realistic.

My suggestion for a building would be a Faculty of Agriculture.  They often have ancillary greenhouses and animal paddocks as well as really nice gardens around them.  It could also provide some farming CAP relief, although I'm not sure if this matters given EQ considerations.  It could provide some CAP relief for I-HT with all the new agricultural genetics grads.

Citycapitalizer:  I'm not sure I want the law school to act as a functioning police station... that might be stretching things a bit.  The campus security building will however provide police protection.  I'll have to look into just how the game defines "tourism."  It seems to me that there is no such thing really... possibly just a boost in CS demand?  Not sure, though...   &Thk/(

Will62russ:  A water tower, huh?  Hmmm... ;)

Tamorr:  Yes, there is a way to give a small boost to health levels... but, once again, that me a bit more of a stretch than I want to make.  We'll see though...

Garrett:  Thank you!  I actually have three athletic facilities mapped out already and there will be some variety (as always!)  ;)

Markouellette:  I've been toying with the idea of a School of Agriculture as well.  My only concern with this is that extra farm demand wouldn't do much good to most people.  Any city large enough to devote space to a sprawling campus would probably have trouble finding space left for farms anymore.  I like the idea... just not sure how useful such a boost would be in the game.

Thanks for all the suggestions and thoughts everyone... please keep them coming!  I'm not ruling anything out at this point, so don't let any hesitation fool you.  It mostly just me thinking out loud and hoping for additional feedback.  But in the meantime...

I made some final adjustments to the Swan Centre for Business Studies... mostly the roof, skylights, and lighting in the courtyard.  The changes are all very subtle, but I think they did the trick.  Here's a look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_Preview07.jpg&hash=76471bcced7b23346326c6773891ad6cb1d78750)

I think I'm about ready to call this one finished.  I also exported the models for Tage Towers, which will form the basis for dormitory lots #4 and #5.  There will be a larger lot with all three towers clustered together, as well as a smaller lot with just one building on it for more flexibility.  This should probably finish all the modeling needed for EP1!!!   :party:  I still have a couple other lots to make and then we'll be down to final modding for everything.  This could still take some time, but things are definitely moving forward.

Since I was in a bit of a BAT mood today... I also thought you might like a sneak peak at one of the athletic buildings for EP2....

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_Preview01.jpg&hash=bf5623df23a2a4ed8194031c1eb7381a25d76e51)

If you're a University of Michigan hockey fan, you might recognize where this one is coming from.  It's based loosely on Yost Ice Arena... but I'll be using it as an older field house for the more historically inclined among us.  ;)

That's all for now,
JB

I must say, Jon, the Swan Centre looks fantastic! Whatever little changes you made have really made the building look great. The new fieldhouse also looks great; I really like the Romanesque Revival architecture (probably because I see so much of it here at UCLA).

Looking forward to EP1!

Gotta small problem.  I have downloaded and installed all dependencies and the buildings dont show up on the lots.   All the base textures and flora are there.

If you need a pic, I can post one.

Thanks for the help and awesome University!!!

Lovely work on the university Jon! I really like the garden :thumbsup:

   Well thanks, at least the thought in mind is out. And yeah we'll see. :)


I aught to say that is some nice finishing touches you've made, and will be awaiting the EP1 with my patience held on tightly. I thought that face looked familiar to some degree, a good start for another addition. :thumbsup:

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

For 'subtle' changes it made a for a better difference.  I hope it looks as good on my campus as it does here.  Particularly like the window walls and the courtyard  :thumbsup:

Concerning the question about about an Ag-center...  ()what()  here in WIS there is an university WI agricultural extension -the one in Marshfield, WI comes to mind and is typically with the 2-year smaller demographic campuses (ie UW-Marshfield, UW-Wausau) these out side living campuses cover everything pretaining to agriculture then transferable to Madison.  Perhaps something on this order could be made and if its plopped in a bigger city with lower ag value then it could act as academic, or small industry...  The new fieldhouse is looking promising

Don't worry about confusing the freshman class as the professors are pulling another prank on 'em with 'fake' free beer and watching 'em get drunk on placebos  :D -like the robins in autumn eating ash berries get drunk.  And no matter how much the upper 'underclass-persons' tell 'em its fake -it doesn't do any good...free beer can't be all bad, right? freshman!  ::)

from the cold wind blown northwoods of the fox valley  $%#Ninj2

Jack

Zack:  Thank you!  I realized today the the field house is way out of scale right now... but it still gives an idea of the general style.

Tahill:  Every building for the starter pack can be found in BSC MEGA Props_JBSimio_Vol03 (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1891)  If you are quite positive that you have this installed, then feel free to post some pictures and I can take a look... although I can't think of any other reason you'd be missing these.  ;)

Merijn:  Thank you!

Tamorr:  Thanks!  EP1 is just about down to the boring parts now... :D

Jack:  Thank you!  Your thoughts about an off campus facility for the School of Agriculture might be an option, although I'll need to consider how that might fit within the reward chains as they stand right now.  Ahh... the old free fake beer trick!  Seems like with all the bars in WI, even the freshmen would be able to tell the difference... but then again, who knows?  :D

Nothing to show quite yet.  I did the final export for the Swan Centre for Business Studies today.  I haven't checked any of these latest renders yet, but provided that none of them were corrupted, I'm hoping to get some lotting and modding done over the weekend.  My hope is to have all but one of the dorms (which is the last model yet to be finished) completely finished before Monday.  So stay tuned the next couple days for about five final lot images coming to a page near you!  (The page in question being this one... or perhaps page nine... you get the idea)

See you soon!
JB

Thanks for the reply JB.  I havent checked my plugins to see if that pack is in there.  The Lex said that I downloaded it back in March 09.  I'll give it a try in the morning and let you know otherwise.

Again,  thanks for the reply and great University.

Waow, I think I've never seen this topic, and frankly, it's wonderful!! :o

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

A thought about the Ag-extension campus... perhaps being a part of the reward chain similar to BSC's Ag-reward set-up.  Then it could be a reward for good farming practices or perhaps poor farming practices soliciting a call from the UW Ag-extension 'know-it-all's'   ::) as I did for a while as a soils management consultant/intern -before the budgets dried up then I went back to college.   &mmm 

or it can be offered when there is more Ag fields than zones... maybe even something different could trigger it other than the usual...   &Thk/( 

I'm sure a happy medium will come of it... ???

As for 'beer gate', your forgetting the operative word here, 'FREE'  :P  As for 'all the bars in WIS...'  elements are working hard to be rid of such 'evil places' (prohibition talk) I'm for being responsible but when it starts to remove history, a neighborhood mom&pop places -particularly the rural places, then it too much... the crack-down on drunk or buzzed driving is getting really severe that a dose of cough medicine or listerine could get a guy in trouble.  I could go on as this is turning into yet another soapbox.  $%#Ninj2

from the cracker barrel of the fox cities

Jack  :satisfied:

Really great work jbsimio   &apls
I think that swan centre looks gorgeous. I love the central area, with the descending steps & garden.
I am a uni student myself and I really appreciate that like my, and I suspect most, universities: yours is a mixture of buildings from different eras. The old grand stone buildings side by side with modern business schools etc. that helps an awful lot in making it seem fully real.
I'll be sure to follow this and offer any ideas I can.

Tahill:  You're welcome... I hope the problems are solved.   :thumbsup:

Guillaume:  Thank you!  Glad you found the thread.  ;)

Jack:  Thanks for the additional thoughts.  So many ideas to sift through... I'm going to need a new "Clayhurst notebook" soon!  :D

Thingfishs:  Thank you!  I'm slowly trying to increase the variety available.  This first pack was mostly older buildings, so hopefully these newer ones will balnce things out a bit.

Alright... got all five dorms on what I think are finished lots.  I also got all the prop exemplars and modding done for the same buildings.  Had to spend a lot of time sifting through the starter pack to remember how to mod these dorms, but I think I got it all sorted!   ::)  I've shown some of these before... but just to put them all in one place again, here are the five (with one last dorm still on the way)

Roth Residence Hall - 3x2 lot, counts as a medium sized dorm
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FRothHall_Final.jpg&hash=bae7723d7e5bec92e0e225e7d2aded7bfe4a70f3)

Stropon Hall - 5x4 lot, counts as a medium sized dorm
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FStropon_Final.jpg&hash=a993413e2e57f7bb98e2540914cc55bf6670d4e6)

Diggis Hall - 5x4 lot, counts as a medium sized dorm
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDiggis_Final.jpg&hash=3b9df4928a7c4f55a720a684fd5cda401b5f5bd2)

Payce - Rooker Hall - 5x5 lot, counts as a large sized dorm
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FPayceRooker_Final.jpg&hash=6111ae869b3b7d8b2cae03aa0df23a6e24807f8c)

Tage Towers - 6x5 lot, counts as a large sized dorm
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FTageTowers_Final.jpg&hash=9fbb3f0dbaf6f4278b7ca6ca7b0e6a74d77bb472)

Like all the other Clayhurst lots, the crowds of people come and go quite a bit.  There are more on these lots than it might look like here, I promise!  They're all pretty straight forward, so I'm not sure what else to say about them.  :D

More to come...
JB

Quote from: JBSimio on December 06, 2009, 02:18:08 PM
Tage Towers - 6x5 lot, counts as a large sized dorm

&blush ()flower()

They look great JB, excellent collection of realistic uni buildings.  &apls

Something I have learnt through playing this game is things don't always look from above as you might imagine they would. Nonetheless I believe in copying reality as closely as possible. The one thing that stands out to me with your buildings is the constant, even distribution of those white squares on the roof (air-conditioning vents or whatever they are). Is it realistic for all the buildings to have this same setup? If it is then that's the way it should be, it's just the only thing that looks a little repetitive to me.

Quote from: JBSimio on December 06, 2009, 02:18:08 PM
This first pack was mostly older buildings, so hopefully these newer ones will balnce things out a bit.

Well that's how it should be. Universities tend to be old beasts, with their primary structure developed early but with all kinds of new needs to cater to as time marches on. You are making hard not to play the game. (I've been learning to BAT and have only been loading SC4 when I'm checking one out in-game...)

Excellent work JB, I'm really looking forward to EP#2........the beauty of a modular university is that the more buildings you have, the greater the variety of campusses(sp) you can create.

I would agree with Jack_Wilds, the idea of an offsite location for a proposed agricultural campus makes a lot of sense. Here in the eastern fringes of the "great white north", the Nova Scotia Agricultural College is located in Truro NS, about 100km north of the main campus of Dalhousie University in Halifax. It is a small specialized university campus in it's own right, with it's own teaching buildings, dorms and research barns.

I agree that an agricultural college could be tied into a farming reward chain and thus could be located in a specialized agricultural region. All you would really need to do is tie the main teaching building to the reward chain and then we could fill in the campus with all the other great buildings you have created for the rest of the campus.

If you do take on this task, the only other suggestion I would have is that you might want to consider modelling some greenhouses and teaching barns to flesh out the campus.

This of course would probably end up being EP#5  :D, but that's OK, take your time.......we don't want you to burn out!!  :thumbsup:

Those dorm buildings look excellent, Jon! I really like the low-rise ones, although the rest aren't without their charm  :thumbsup:

I'm really intrigued by the Swan Centre from your previous entry. Just looking at it gives me ideas for its usage  &idea.

~ Dan

love the look of the new fieldhouse....cant wait!

Those are some nice looking dorms there.... I really love the Diggis & Stropon Halls. ()stsfd()
   The designs look rather well implimented, and I know I'd enjoy arranging my university with all the things I've seen here. Of course not all in the same city, as a region is big enough to have a few Universities around. :)

Thanks for the help JB.  The LEX said I had it but my plugins said other wise.  Now its time for some uni building!!!

Top quality work as ever JBSimio. I realy like all your creations.  :thumbsup:

Jon stunning work here as a normal from you!!! WOW!!!

Really beautiful dorms, I love! :o
And, do you still translate the project in other languages? I saw it on the first message, beacause if you want, I could tranlsate it in french ;)

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Excellent work!

And maybe I can translate it in Chinese ::)

If you want some Dutch translations just give a shout. You know where to find me ;)

:thumbsup:

And you know the languages I'll take care of... :)

Talking of which...
Merijn, you should head over here (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=9147.msg281641#msg281641) and pick up a karma point before somebody else does... ::)

I don't get that much time to play Sc4 very much or post on the these forums much. I just wanted to say you do some excellent work and making playing the game much more enjoyable. This university set is awesome! Thanks!

Ripplejet:  You're welcome... Lord knows I owe you a lot more than a bunch of nicely arranged pixels!   ;D

Thingfishs:  I probably am overusing the roof air vents at times... the trouble is, many newer buildings keep their mechanical elements indoors which leaves nothing to put on the roof anymore.  The view of SC4 kind of forces me to have something up there, but I'm kind of at a loss for ideas... especially with dormitories.

Simdad:  Thank you!  I definitely will be using the agriculture idea at some point... just not sure when yet.  EP1 is basically in the finishing stages and I won't be adding anymore buildings to it than what I have planned.  EP2 is getting pretty full already too... but we'll see how that goes.  ;)

Dan:  Thank you!  I'm hoping to lot the classroom buildings this weekend, but I'll be watching to see what you might do with the business center.

PrestonCo:  Thank you!

Tahill:  Glad everything worked out!   :thumbsup:

Delfacto:  Thank you!

Pat:  Thank you!  Nice to see you again... hope you're doing well, my friend.

Guillaume:  We will be needing translations again so thank you for the offer!

Bobbi:  Chinese would be wonderful, thank you!

Merijn:  Thank you as well!

Ripplejet:  I do indeed.  Given Bobbi's offer... is there a way to add Chinese to the starter pack without too much trouble?  Maybe just an additional dat file or something?  We can discuss details elsewhere... especially since there are other topics you and I will need to sort out soon.  ;)

Oneeighttwo:  Thank you!

Just a quick update on the field house.  I had hoped to be further along by now, but I had to basically start over because the scale was so far off on the first one.  I'm running out of time, so I'll talk about things later.  For now, here's the latest look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_Preview02.jpg&hash=b1e87a80fad28d17923f9aa05236291f4584e53a)

More tonight, I hope...
JB

Hey JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

So how are you? enjoying the wintry bay area? (insert: clever sneeky emoticon throwing a snowball your way)  ;D  its been a blizzard here... it dumped 14" here in the Valley, some places got over 18" -alot of wet-heavy-white stuff that bogged down my arm-throwing snow blower really fast.  :D 

Like the better more improved field house...  :thumbsup: also like the dorms... everyone is stating the accolades, not much I could add... but a  :thumbsup:

Jack  $%#Ninj2

Quote from: JBSimio on December 10, 2009, 10:02:37 AM

Thingfishs:  I probably am overusing the roof air vents at times... the trouble is, many newer buildings keep their mechanical elements indoors which leaves nothing to put on the roof anymore.  The view of SC4 kind of forces me to have something up there, but I'm kind of at a loss for ideas... especially with dormitories.

have you ever thought about putting greenroofs on your buildings with flat roofts? I'm not sure how well it would fit in a university setting as compared to HT industry or large commercial/residential structures...might work on some of the residence halls. Just an idea to break up the monotony....

Jack:  Thank you!  Things are well here... a bit colder than normal, but still nothing compared to Michigan or Wisconsin!  I think I only feel cold because nobody believes in insulating houses around here.   :D  I'm hoping to see some snow when I head home in a couple weeks... but then I'll leave it behind again and not miss it at all for the rest of the year.  ;)

PrestonCo:  I'm not too sure about roof gardens for the dorms either.  I'm sure there are regions that have them, but I can't imagine it would be all that common.  I did have a couple other ideas while typing your response this morning though so we'll see what happens the next time around.  ;)

I'll get back to EP1 again this weekend.  I find it much easier to do the modding in larger batches so I can keep everything straight in my head.  My hope is to finish the three classroom buildings this time around.  That will only leave a few support buildings and lots to finish before I start arranging and packaging.

In the meantime... here's some progress on the field house:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_South03.jpg&hash=d9a8cd0410bdb0bb4337db1862a3cc480c60df19)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_West03.jpg&hash=814a4c279ed5048a21422047d788d5a48f89d9b7)

Quite a few details to add yet.  (I didn't even put the foundations along the sides yet... oops!)  The back isn't finished either... which is why you can't see it in this update.  I'm debatining whether I want to make the whole building a touch longer or not.  It almost looks a bit too  squared off right now, but that might just be me.  That's about it for tonight though...

JB

Question, about how long is the field house now? I would agree that it should be long, but only by another four windows or so. How many seats are you imagining this building having? But it looks great and will fit right in with the rest of the university.

Congrats JBSimio! I love your BAT! &apls
And for  the translation, you're welcome! :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Thought I should check in here while I can. Everything looks so good. When I was in college there were sunbathers on the roofs of the dorms. :D

Ah, they don't let us folk up on the roofs these days... liability stuff and all. Then again, that doesn't stop some determined folks. The field house looks great Jon. It may be a bit square, but I don't see that as a problem. Then again, I'm not sure what exactly is contained in a field house (is it like a gym?). Impressive progress on this. Is it just the work of an experienced hand that lets you produce things like this so quickly, or do you maintain a modle folder of various bits and pieces that you can alter to fit the area? Whatever the case, you've achieved a grand style here. The arches over the entrances in particular and great touches. Hope all is well.
-Matt

Quote from: JBSimio on December 10, 2009, 10:02:37 AM
Given Bobbi's offer... is there a way to add Chinese to the starter pack without too much trouble?  Maybe just an additional dat file or something?

One additional dat file would most certainly be enough. ;)
It's very nice of Bobbi to offer to make those translations! :)

Quote from: payce2tw on December 11, 2009, 10:46:17 AM
When I was in college there were sunbathers on the roofs of the dorms. :D

I think Jon will have to model mom on the roof now... ::)

that's a beautiful facade &apls

great work but it would be cool if you put in some super modern building to have a good mix ;)

JBSimio - The fieldhouse is "just what the doctor ordered."   It fits right in with the overall concept/design of the rest of your wonderful campus buildings.   

JBSimio- When will you release more lots/BAT to the BSC exchange? ;)

Quote from: qwerty123 on December 18, 2009, 08:53:24 AM
JBSimio- When will you release more lots/BAT to the BSC exchange? ;)

Once they're done. ;)

Quote from: Andreas on December 18, 2009, 10:36:53 AM
Once they're done. ;)

Or possibly a day or two after that...   :D

It's wonderful ! You had do a beautiful work, i love that !  &apls

Quote from: JBSimio on December 18, 2009, 03:21:07 PM
Or possibly a day or two after that...   :D

Great to know.   I'll mark my calendar for that important day.   ;D

Hey JB,
I went back through this thread to see if you had a list of buildings you were adding to Clayhurst.  I couldnt find any. 

Thanks
Matt

Quote from: will62russ on December 19, 2009, 03:31:08 PM

Quote from: JBSimio on December 18, 2009, 03:21:07 PM
Or possibly a day or two after that...   :D

Great to know.   I'll mark my calendar for that important day.   ;D

We'll mark it when we know the date for that important day :D

what happened to the progress on the school pack volume five? The schools were cool lookin :)

The field house looks awesome! Will be a great addition to this set.  :thumbsup:

I really love this creation.   :D

I can't wait to see what's next. Keep up the good work! &apls

Looking good so far JBsimio. :thumbsup:

I seem to have disappeared again...  %confuso  Sorry about that!  I won't bother trying to explain or make excuses here... we'll just act like I posted yesterday OK?   ;)

Ignoring the field house for a bit (I'm glad so many of you like it though!), why don't we get back to Expansion Pack #1 and see how things are coming along?  I'm pretty sure I showed all but one of the finished dormitories for the next pack.  The final dorm is not finished yet, but it shouldn't take long to wrap it up.  In the meantime, I now have all three of the new classroom buildings completely finished.  Have a look:

DeBussy School of Engineering - 5x5 lot, gives a larger than average boost to I-HT
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FDeBussy_LotFinal.jpg&hash=6cb0efb398caa22efd9cf91d88a1916b1bf2af22)

Matthew Edgren Law School - 7x4 lot, doesn't do anything special beyond adding normal university properties (more on that in a minute)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FLawSchool_LotFinal.jpg&hash=31db9836364cb9c052882c3241bf6b0ce8f43b1a)

Swan Centre for Business Studies - 5x5 lot, gives a larger boost to CO$$ and also a boost to CO$$$ (not included in standard university caps)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSwanCentre_LotFinal.jpg&hash=d230252b43d7fae508b819e6edf521eb3b64fec2)

That's what they all look like.  I tried to make it so these would give different cap relief depending on what the main "purpose" of each building was.  So the school of engineering gives a bigger boost to high tech industry and the business school gives a boost to commercial office demand, and the law school... well... I'm not sure yet.  I wanted it to mimic the Maxis city hall, courthouse, etc.  However, in researching just what those buildings do, I learned that they don't actually do much.  They basically have some higher park and landmark effects, but not much else.  So, I'm not quite sure what I'll do to set the law school apart just yet.  We'll come back to that soon...

Until then,
JB

Looking great :thumbsup:

I particularly like the night lights in the glass roofed section of the Debussy building.

Thingfishs:  Thank you!

I didn't really feel like modding the last few buildings yet today, so I decided to make some additional quad lots instead.  I know there is still one request for additional path pieces, which I will get to soon... but if anyone else has noticed gaps while playing with this, now is the time to say so!  :)

First... I made a couple new versions of the 7x9 quad lot.  The only real reason for this is so that you can have the Fuhrmann Academic Center on one side (as the original was designed for) and either the front or back of the new Law School on the other.  Unfortunately, that meant two new lots... but here they are:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FQuad_Law01.jpg&hash=2d6e221dbc84c129ed374a0784ae05a3cbefbc44)

To be honest, I really didn't change anything except the connecting paths and what few props needed to move because of that.

Since the first pack, I had been wanting to do a few lots with SimGoober's ponds as well... so I made three different ones.  Not sure how useful these might be to everyone, but it seemed like a nice way to create more "informal" areas on campus.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FQuadPond01.jpg&hash=cee4be3f1757b4e518538f0dac038a47568b23fd)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FQuadPond02.jpg&hash=ac1627d283ed06d2dcf7b635c4bbc35674c286a3)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FQuadPond03.jpg&hash=95ec6d01fd0b04aec1e2d8782c8717d934073e84)

The smaller image in the corner is purposely left blank to better show the layouts.  The full images have whatever props were showing at that particular moment.  Like all the campus lots, these all have a wide variety of people coming and going throughout the day... so don't worry if they happen to look a bit empty here as it just means that I was too impatient to wait for things to show up. ;)

JB

These are great additions!  I really like how the pond lots look.

Those look great Jon! Looking forward to their release!

           -Jordan

I concur.  :thumbsup:
And the ponds do indeed add some character. I've been on campuses vast enough that there even was -albeit small- a river going through.

Very nice!  If I could make one suggestion for another pond lot... perhaps one with a prairie or weed area (perhaps a reclaimed area or an area necessitated by new expansion or destruction of wetlands, or something like that...)

My grad school has an area like that and I've seen them at several other colleges too.

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

What an awesome campus  :thumbsup:

...as for being tardy then absent without a pass from the dean,  %wrd means: wearing the campus dunce cap with groucho marx glasses around the campus all week  &ops  :D

glad to see your still alive and well and the campus project is making timely progress

Jack  :satisfied:

Well it has been a while... Looks like things are progressing well and I love all the new items shown above. This will make nice for the expansion. Keep it up. :)  *awaiting patiently*

This is all awesome stuff JB.  :thumbsup:

I'm going to ask a very selfish question (only because I'm planning on redoing the capitol city of my region and I want a stylish new national university).

What do you anticipate the release date for your expansion pack to be?

No pressure!  ;D

It's a good idea adding the ponds/lakes, my uni has a similar one. Personally though I'd prefer that they were more of a pond colour & less of a pool colour (a tad darker & browner). Maybe just one could be changed... 
Some of the props on the lawn in the last shot (it looks like the maxis picnic on rug animation) have lines through them. I think they need to be lifted .1 or .2 in the LE or LE_X.
Also I'd like to see a garden bed or two, not just trees and lawn. Plus your chairs are all facing away from the ponds, I'd add at least another one or two facing each one.

Well there's my thoughts, and last but not least, Happy Birthday! :thumbsup:

Happy Birthday Jon!

             -Jordan

Battlecat:  Thank you!  I'm glad the new pond lots will be useful.

Jordan:  Thanks!

TiFlo:  Thank you!  I've also seen several large campuses with rivers... Michigan State and North Carolina State both come to mind.  :)

CabraBuitre:  Thanks!  More of a wetland area, you say?  Something with no paths at all and a bit more undeveloped, perhaps?  I'm not entirely sure I know what you're after... can you please explain a bit further for me?

Jack:  Thanks!  I guess the dunce cap is a pretty light sentance for my transgressions, so I appreciate your leniency.  ;)

Tamorr:  Thank you!  Getting closer...

Simdad:  Thanks!  I can't really nail down a release date just yet, sorry.  I have a few things to finish on my end, which (provided I stay on track and RL doesn't get in the way) should take me another week or so.  After that, Andreas and Ripplejet both take over with final modding, reward chains, translations, etc etc etc... so I can't really say how much time they will need before things can go to testing.

Thingfishs:  Thank you!  The ponds were made by SimGoober quite some time ago, so the water is what it is.  The picnic blanket was just a graphics glitch on my machine (which is now fixed) and can be ignored.  All the benches are facing the paths as they do on all the other campus quads and path lots, but I could add a few more around the ponds facing towards the water.  I don't really like the idea of flower beds on any of the pond lots because they are intended to have a bit more "informal" look about them (hence the more curvy paths).  I could make a couple additional quad lots with a more "gardened" look about them though if people want them.  And finally... thank you for the birthday wishes.  :)

Jordan:  Thank you, as well!

Had a very hectic weekend with the group in camp... Saturday was actually a 17 hour work day for me!   :o  Needless to say, I didn't get anything more accomplished here in the last couple days.  I should have some time to finish up the campus fire and security lots tomorrow and possibly do a couple more of the lots suggested above as well.  That will just leave finishing up the last dormitory and the commuter lots before I can send things across the Atlantic.   ;D

More tomorrow...
JB

Happy Birthday, Jon.

In addition, there seems to have been some good progress here lately.

Ethan

Happy Birthday Jon!

The new lots are looking great, and it's good to see the law school approaching the end of production (leave it to the lawyers to make you create two new lots eh?). I really like the ponds, and the lot witht he gazebo in it is an excellent one, especially for use around the dormitories. Any plans for a formal fountain/pond set too? You tend to see a fair few of those around campuses, and I can only think of one or maybe two that I've seen in the park sets that would work.

Quote from: JBSimio on February 04, 2010, 09:21:11 AMI wanted it to mimic the Maxis city hall, courthouse, etc.  However, in researching just what those buildings do, I learned that they don't actually do much.

For some reason I found that really funny.

Quote from: JBSimio on February 04, 2010, 09:21:11 AMSo, I'm not quite sure what I'll do to set the law school apart just yet.

What about an abundance of coffee shops, bookstores, and an animated prop/effect that's a flood of people running out the front door any time there's a traffic accident nearby? (kidding, except maybe about the coffee shops). What about mimicking the SmallTown town hall that gave police benefits, perhaps coupled with a monthly income, or at least reduced costs (from the tuition and other such fees). I'm sure inspiration will strike for you.

Hope you had a good day today! Happy birthday again!
-Matt

Happy belated Birthday Jon... sorry about not being on the stick about it

Liking the new additions and direction of the ponds and windy walks;it provides variety in campus ground design options

Are the walks/paths bsc/sg's? if so will/do they change with that 'texture change mod' whatever its called  ??? -as its escapes my train of thought, it appears to have derailed and now its all off track...  &Thk/( either I'm studying tooo much or my gray mater is losing its matter...  ;D

See ya around campus

Jack

Ethan:  Thank you!

Matt:  Thanks!  I didn't originally have plans for more formal ponds or fountains, but I do now! ;)  The only hinderance may be finding fountains that I like within the prop packs that I've been trying to base everything off of... but I'm sure something will fit.  Still not sure how to handle the Law School... maybe it could provide cap relief for high wealth residential?  Seems that with more lawyers, lots more people can get rich off of their clumsiness.  :D

Jack:  Thank you!  All the campus paths, including these new lots, are BSC Park compliant, yes.  Meaning that the path texture can be changed... which I think is what you were asking?  ;)

Still tinkering with some new "formal" looking quads like Matt and Thingfishs have suggested... but nothing quite ready to show there just yet.  In the meantime, I put the finishing touches on the campus security and fire lots:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FCampusSecurity_Lot.jpg&hash=c55320b874d4653eac788e742217d7b429411479)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FCampusFire_Lot.jpg&hash=01f63a9bf663ea6fe2a43240a37fd86e64c2fc6a)

Nerdly_dood kindly provided some custom skins for the campus security cars.  Those will still become part of the lot once Swamper77 has finished modding them.  Otherwise, these are both checked off the list too!

I also think that the final dorm is just about done.  Winterton Hall will be a single building version of the larger Diggis Hall and looks a little something like this:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FWinterton_Preview02.jpg&hash=bebe3ec35db907ae71c8d2e1c0ab72f4c1138d87)

I still might alter the interior behind the large glass entry, but I'm still debating that idea.  I feel like it could look better, but might also be fine just as it is.   &mmm

That's all for now,
JB

Getting myself motivated to BAT again. Thinking Clayhurst may need some sports facilities to go with it $%#Ninj2

Sheer awesomeness, JB. Thank you!

To build on what CabraBuitre suggested, may I offer you a reference (or at least how I envision what Cabra suggested).

http://www.nbwla.com/featured/dell.htm (http://www.nbwla.com/featured/dell.htm)

XiahouDun:  I think you may be right... sports facilities are definitely scheduled for EP2.  ;)

Preston:  Thanks!  I had a quick glance at your link and will look more when I get home this afternoon.

Since we're closing in on the final details for EP1, one last thing I really need to hammer out is how the reward chains will progress.  I have a pretty finalized general idea of what will happen, but I need some help with the details.  With that in mind, I have a request for everyone who is currently using the University of Clayhurst in any of their cities.  If you have a campus in place, please query any path, driveway, or eye candy lot.  The query will display the "Number of Campus Lots" and the "Number of Campus Buildings" that you have currently used to build your campus.  Will anyone with a spare moment please jot those numbers down and post them here or send me a PM?

Thanks!
JB

Quote from: JBSimio on February 10, 2010, 11:30:46 AM
XiahouDun:  I think you may be right... sports facilities are definitely scheduled for EP2.  ;)

Nice :D And here I was going to offer my services.

Jon,

Unfortunately the examples I was thinking of have trees blocking the Google maps view...  but maybe I can describe it better...

I'm thinking about an area that is perhaps surrounded by paths but isn't groomed... the lawn isn't cut, it's more of a prairie area maybe along one side of a pond or lake... a natural area or a "reclaimed" area that's been put back to its natural state... back to what it was before the college was there.

Does that make more sense?

XiahouDun:  As you know, I rarely turn down anything... :D  I don't want to give the specifics just yet, but I have three athletic facilities as iron clad additions to EP2 at the moment.  Beyond that... who knows?

CabraBuitre:  Thank you!  I think I can picture exactly what you mean now... it's what I thought originally, but I wanted to be certain.  I'll see what I can come up with.

I'm in the middle of a pretty busy weekend at work right now so there probably won't be any new pretty pictures here until Monday or Tuesday.  In the meantime... I just want to make this request again:

Quote from: JBSimio on February 10, 2010, 11:30:46 AM
Since we're closing in on the final details for EP1, one last thing I really need to hammer out is how the reward chains will progress.  I have a pretty finalized general idea of what will happen, but I need some help with the details.  With that in mind, I have a request for everyone who is currently using the University of Clayhurst in any of their cities.  If you have a campus in place, please query any path, driveway, or eye candy lot.  The query will display the "Number of Campus Lots" and the "Number of Campus Buildings" that you have currently used to build your campus.  Will anyone with a spare moment please jot those numbers down and post them here or send me a PM?

Any help on this would be most appreciated.  I'd like to get a sense of what people are building with this so I can fine tune some of the details surrounding future campus "upgrades" and rewards.

Thanks again!
JB

Hello JBSimio, Jack wilds here...

not entirely certain what you want,  %confuso but here goes...

city one:  with the most U of C 73 lots, 13 bdlgs -alot of grounds used

city two: used all the bldgs in the package fc and non-fc and 23 lots

city three: used three fc bldgs, and 27 lots -still considering campus layout

city four: 1 ec-fc bldg

do you need more?  ()what()as these numbers have changed as I've revised what was done in city one and two
if you need pictures -I attempt a college try about doing so, but its been a real issue in the past and reluctant to deal with it again till its more 'dummy proof'...  &Thk/(

I like the progress and direction your campus development is taking, no real bright ideas at the moment  &idea  &mmm

Jack  :satisfied:

Hi JBSimio!

As a long-time fan of your work I feel like honoring your request is the least I can do.  :)

I've built a few campuses, but my favorite has 13 campus buildings and 80 campus lots.

Thought you might like to see what it looks like, so :

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg402.imageshack.us%2Fimg402%2F8186%2Funiversitys.jpg&hash=40db47f5970257e0e41b2019bda635ded4452dd2)

It's in a rather urban area, just across the highway from the downtown of a good-sized city, so as you can see it's a rather densely-developed campus.  I'm eagerly awaiting EP1, but I'm running into the same situation as many real-world universities in that there's little room for expansion.  To the east is the highway and downtown.  To the west is a rowhouse neighborhood I really like and consider historic, and to the south is one of the main rail lines into the city's central station.  I'm thinking north is best, but rerouting that avenue is going to be a major project. 

My first post in SC4D is for you, JBSimio; to say thanks for that wonderful job you're doing! I just can't wait to download the EP1 and begin upgrading my campuses!

17 Buildings
191 Lots

Hey JBSimio,

Considering the massive effort on your part, I want so much to assist you in my little way.   I'm not sure if I'm giving you what was requested but my campus, created with your work, consists of 10  buildings (none duplicated) and 86 additional lots. 

Thanks.
Will

Quote from: JBSimio on February 10, 2010, 11:30:46 AM
[...]
Since we're closing in on the final details for EP1, one last thing I really need to hammer out is how the reward chains will progress.  I have a pretty finalized general idea of what will happen, but I need some help with the details.  With that in mind, I have a request for everyone who is currently using the University of Clayhurst in any of their cities.  If you have a campus in place, please query any path, driveway, or eye candy lot.  The query will display the "Number of Campus Lots" and the "Number of Campus Buildings" that you have currently used to build your campus.  Will anyone with a spare moment please jot those numbers down and post them here or send me a PM?
[...]

The query windows will not come up, I tried clicking just about everything. It might be because I was using advanced queries, so I might update this after a restart, but I can get query windows for everything else Ive tried. However, I can tell you I used every building exactly once, with the exception of multiple residence halls. I also took advantage of the BSC Parks compliance to add lots that look appropriate in a uni. I only have 1 city right now (a region eating metropolis). I'd very much like to build a larger campus, but I'm not a fan of repetition of buildings, as my massive plugins folder could tell you. As for reward chains, sorry but I have no patience for them. I don't deserve it. :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F7336%2Funivsmall.jpg&hash=04c1686bc22c3d20f6ae4a1d0112f254a2f0d7f1) (http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4970/univfull.jpg)
Click for full size (1680x1050).

Great work, I'm looking forward to future expansions.

I seem to have made the largest universities so far. Of the two I've built with Clayhurst, the smaller one uses 25 buildings and 264 lots, while the larger one uses 26 buildings and 296 lots (plus seven that I customized). My universities are more urban than many others', so they need to have more buildings to serve a higher student population.

Excellent work! I love this pack and am anxiously awaiting the additions/expansion! Any idea as to when we should see it here?  :thumbsup:

Just curious...   Is there a nickname for the University of Clayhurst's sports teams?

Probably something clay-related, if at all.

Potters, etc.

The Golems

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi302.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fnn110%2FDiggis%2Fgolem.jpg&hash=3e2ccbdb2cc00767468fd407fc5678c89d8513c4)

...The Goobers -with an animated Peanut as the mascot  ;D

Jack

How about the Claymores (those Scottish bravehearts that were in the epic Mel Gibson movie).

any update ;D on how the expansion is coming along? :thumbsup:

also GREAT work thus far &apls

  &apls...:thumbsup:.....::)..........%wrd...............%confuso....................&Thk/(........................./wrrd%&.....

How soon will this be released? Ready to put a university in my city and need this expansion to make it right.

I am beginning to resign myself to the very real possibility that JBS has disappeared into the netherworld of RL, never to be seen again.

/wrrd%& %wrd :'( :( ()sad()

Nah, JBSimio is a cook of a youth recreation camp in RL, so you can imagine that summer is always the busiest time for him. He'll return eventually later this year. :)

... /wrrd%&... :sleeping:... %confuso WHAT WAS THAT!?  I thought I heard something...  &Thk/( must just be things creeping in the night... %wrd... /wrrd%&

 :D

(sorry for the emptiness, I just had to laugh at will's bad dream)

Quote from: Andreas on July 23, 2010, 12:50:05 PM
Nah, JBSimio is a cook of a youth recreation camp in RL, so you can imagine that summer is always the busiest time for him. He'll return eventually later this year. :)

Summer is over, time to get back to work on this.  ;)
Really, though, I would like to see this SOON.

...so when do classes begin  ()what() and is the field-house open yet  %confuso  it appears to be a good place for intramural activities and/or hang-out... trust this finds JB-Headmaster in good health, I'd even give ya an apple but I eat it walking across the commons on the way to your office -but you weren't in  ???

:D

Jack

Is it sad that I check the LEX daily for any sight of the expansion pack?  &mmm 
I didn't think so. :D

Quote from: sumatra82 on September 29, 2010, 06:18:30 PM
Is it sad that I check the LEX daily for any sight of the expansion pack?  &mmm 
I didn't think so. :D

Your not the only one. :D

Quote from: sumatra82 on September 29, 2010, 06:18:30 PM
Is it sad that I check the LEX daily for any sight of the expansion pack?  &mmm 
I didn't think so. :D

Every day? Probably unhealthy.  Every other day is perectly normal.

I'm still waiting for the expansion pack to be released. It will make my college campus that much better.

Chill friends.

JB hasn't been visiting since August 14.

 %confuso

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FWinterton_Preview03.jpg&hash=7653efe49640c1638705d81c8c006a0e6f19e064)

()lurker()

JB

Welcome back!  We've been waiting for you...  ;D

Great to see you back, JBSimio! Pretty nice hall, it's lovely.  :thumbsup:

I like it.  :thumbsup:

Quote from: JBSimio on December 12, 2010, 03:52:45 PM
()lurker()

This is my favourite smiley... I've found it useful over and over again... :D

Welcome back, Jon! :thumbsup:

^^ Agreed. I've been waiting and I'm excited to see you back. It looks great.

WB, Jon. Like the new bat. Maybe add some chairs, tables ect. to the middle with the nightlight.

Very nice JB. Always great to see you posting your new creations. Welcome back.

Geoff

Good to see you back  :)
Winterton Hall is really nice  :thumbsup:

and the smiley is so funny  :P

Hey JB long time no hear...  :D

Look who's peeking out of the woods. Beautiful residence. Or whatever this is.  ;D

Welcome back, have been waiting for update on this project, and here it is! Looks great!  :)

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome back.  It's been a long time coming, and while I know everyone will tell me it isn't needed, I feel some explainations are in order:

With most of my previous camps, summer was indeed the busiest part of my year by far.  Apparently, that really isn't the case anymore.  Summer is still busier, but not by much.  Camp is doing extremely well, thanks in large part to our gaining a new program which nearly doubled our Outdoor Education numbers overnight.  (This happened in September, by the way.)  To illustrate, humor me for a moment while I explain how my life works.  Camp's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.  My personal measurement of "busy" is something called mealcounts.  Basically, each person I feed a single meal to is one mealcount... so if I have 100 people at camp all day that means 400 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening snack).  In the previous fiscal year (July 2009 through June 2010) we did a total of 51,000 meals.  That was the entire year.  So far this year, from July 1 up through last Friday, we've had a total of 56,000 meals!  Give or take...  Either way, it's been a huge jump.  But Jon, weren't you hiring some help in the cook department?  Yep... he's been here since the summer.  While this eventually made my days a bit shorter, they're still at least 10 hours long.  There are also more of them.  We used to have a few more gaps in the schedule.  We don't anymore.  I've had maybe 10 full days off since August... 5 of those have been in the last three weeks.  Anyway... to make a long story short: (too late!)  I've been really busy.

Even with all that, I'm sure I could have found some time to keep up better, but the honest truth is that I just couldn't motivate myself to get back into things.  I think I just burned out for a while there.  I often felt like I should get back over here... but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I really got the itch and wanted to get back.  I love this community... playing the game... BATting... and especially this project.  At the same time, this project especially is so large and complex that everytime I thought about it, I got overwhelmed and it struck me as another job to be done instead of a fun way to relax.  I just needed to be ready is all.

And now I am!  ;)

So... Winterton Hall is nothing new, really.  If you scroll back a couple pages, you'll notice that I've been sitting on it for a while.  I just finally got around to getting it exported and placed on the lot.  It is the final dormitory for this pack... and counts as a small dorm.  (So this pack has one small, three medium, and two large dormitories included)

Where does that leave us?  Pretty darn close actually.  I have three commuter lots to make before I will call EP1 completely filled.  These three commuter lots are key to the "regional" idea for the whole university.  The game really won't allow us to make a true regional school of any kind, so this is the best work around that I could come up with.  These commuter lots can be plopped in city tiles where you don't want a full campus built.  They'll basically "fool" that city tile into thinking it has a university... and you can pretend everyone in that city is just hopping onto a shuttle to the main campus.  Yes, I said three of them to make... "why?" you ask... because I like to make things difficult, of course!  Actually, the reason is to have a small, medium, and large option (large is still only 3 or 4 x2 tiles) depending on how large your "suburb" city's population is or how much of it you want to cover.  These lots will actually backtrack a little bit to the starter pack.  They will be available at the same time, or just before, the first university building has been with the Starter Pack.  You will be able to choose a commuter lot or begin an actual campus.  If you place a commuter lot, the rest of the university becomes unavailable for that city tile (unless of course, you bulldoze the commuter lot later... this is also how you would upgrade to a larger commuter lot if necessary)  Make sense?  Probably not... but I understand it anyway.  :D

Everything else is done on my end.  I know we left a couple quad ideas hanging, but for the sake of moving this along, I've decided to skip those for now.  I'll come back to them in the next pack.  Before everyone gets too excited, let me also remind you that ME being finished is not the same as the whole pack being finished.  It will still have several people and steps to go through for final modding... reward chains, translations, icons, and whatever else I don't do very well myself.  I apologize for holding this up as long as I personally have... but, just because I'm finally back, certianly doesn't give me any right to (and I refuse to) rush those who are generous enough to help me with finishing touches.  I've been gone so long that I'm not sure what anyone else is doing these days or how much time they have.  I can only say that I plan to begin sending files across the ocean (actually, I have to cross the rest of the country first now) in a week or so.

Thanks for bearing with the long update type of post... and thanks again for all the interest and support!

JB

 :thumbsup:

all is good...  ;)

Sounds ambitious and exciting. When its done its done and then we can all enjoy!  :thumbsup:

Glad to hear things are going well for your camp! I spent five years working at a camp (I was a counselor, not a cook) and count them among my best summers. And it takes a lot to compete with the three I spent waterskiing for a living  :D  In any case, is great you got the time off you needed and are back now because you want to be.

The project is sounding really great and its exciting to here it's getting close to fruition. The commuter lot concept is really clever. I wonder if something similar for airports has been considered.

Thanks for the explanation of the commuter lots and the idea of a regional university. I like the idea, and look forward to seeing it in practice some time in the future.

Great to see you're back, and it's not just me not seeing the EP's on the LEXX.  &smrt Looking forward to the pack.

Jack_Wilds:  Thanks!

Cubby:  Thank you!

Noahclem:  Thanks!  I started as a counselor for a couple summers before I moved over to cooking full time.  The airport commuter lot is where I originally stole the idea from, to be honest.  ;)

Glazert:  Thank you!

David:  Nice to see you back as well!

Well... things are getting closer.  I ended up making six commuter lots instead of the three I originally mentioned.  The extra three are actually for on campus eye candy.  It only made sense to have somewhere for the busses to drop off on campus, so that's what I did.  They're not actually functioning bus stops and so won't need road access.  They're just there for looks.  Here is the final images of everything in EP1:


First are the path and quad lots.  There are two additional quad lots made to match the Law School which are not shown here.  The single corner path is the only extra path lot that was requested.


Three functional shuttles.  These are the three that are intended for outlying city tiles where you don't want to build a full campus.  The different sizes also have different coverage radii and capacities, but the benefits are essentially the same regardless of the size you choose.  These are meant to mimic a bus to the main campus... they don't actually function as any kind of real mass transit.


Three eye candy stops meant to be placed on campus if you want the look.  The two larger ones are identical except for the width of the path crossing the driveway.  None of these are functional in any way.


Three new classroom buildings.  There are functional and eye candy versions of each one again.  Functional versions will, of course, require road access.


Seven new dormitories of various sizes.  These are all eye candy and don't require roads.


Campus Fire and Security buildings.  These also come in functional or eye candy versions.  Functional versions will, of course, require road access.

That should just about wrap things up!  I have a few final things to finish with these myself before I start contacting people to send them to.  I will hopefully be doing that over the next few days.  In the meantime, I need to pack.  I'll be heading back to Michigan overnight for a little family time over Christmas... weather permitting, that is.   ::)

More soon,
JB

I have nothing more to say than: I LOVE IT! This will be a great Christmas gift.

I love you work, you are another one of my heros, I love the schools you have made in the past. I would love to see more schools from you. &apls &apls

Glad your back and in good spirits.  the only snow storm is the one that maybe a factor Wens- Fri as it moves north-east thru the Midwest, so it oughtn't be an issue getting back to MI... the forecastors are saying 4-5" for the fox valley on  top of the 10+" from last weeks blizzard...

...don't know why, but I find it rather thrilling that the EP1 will soon be seen on my favorite LEX  :P

...have you decided on a campus mascot  ()what() as few thoughts were volunteered awhile back...
how about 'the chipmunks'   $%Grinno$% featuring 'Fester the growling chipmunk'  ala MI-gophers

...with this flurry of activity I hope haven't forgotten about the field-house, is it still intact and on track  ()what()
-honestly not wanting to sound impatient in any way, as I'm sure you got it all in the works for eventual lex release

Pleasant journey home, Have a very merry Christmas, may you find more and better than a lump of coal and kick-in-the-pants   :D  ::)

Jack of the snows  $%#Ninj2

Oh my... This is beautiful.

JBSimio, you are about to violate your own principle: You are making education better SEVERAL great buildings at a time! Thanks for comming back in great style.  &apls  &apls
Bap

Those ponds look great... just what I was thinking of!   ;)

Excellent pack concerning University with a nice variety of lots &apls &apls

really good job  :thumbsup:

These new lots are fantastic.  I've been a big fan of The University of Clayhurst set.  Looking forward to the release.

Wow, great lots! Love the dorms, and the other buildings are also great! Any chance for physics department building?  ;)

Great job, i like what i see :thumbsup:
Just an idea. How about a planetarium? Some universities have it ;D

Oh mon Dieu! :o I dream about that for a long time!! &apls &apls I hope they'll be released soon! ()stsfd()

Guillaume :thumbsup:

You're back! ;D Its like an early christmas present. And quite the return it is :thumbsup:

...re-read the letter,

56000 meals  :o so being the cook how do you keep from 'over sampling' -as a good cook one must taste what one is preparing, long 10 hour days leaves little time to 'exercise' I recon.

What kinds of clientele does your camp cater to  ()what()  what does the 'outdoors-environment' camp teach  %confuso
with 56000 meals it sounds like a big camp...

I suppose then with all the cooking you get rather sick of it, does that mean you 'go-out' alot during the off time  ???

with requests for EP2 already beginning with a physics-science department, and the planetarium... I chime in a 'natural resources-environmental-forestry department... and a famous well-loved-dean-of-past statue, and maybe a campus arts department theatre too... any thing more  %confuso  :P  ::)

-have shovel will travel, well maybe just down the block  :D

Jack in the snows

Zacharuno:  Thank you!  This won't be under the tree in time for Christmas, but I'll try not to spend another year sitting on it either!  :D

Aaron:  Thanks so much!  I'm sure there will be more schools eventually as well.  I have one high school that I've been sitting on for a while now... just waiting for inspiration to strike so I can assemble another pack.

Jack:  Unfortunately, the Twin Cities got enough snow Monday afternoon to really throw things out of whack on the travel front.  I made it to Michigan just fine and nearly on time yesterday, but I can't say the it was pretty OR easy!  All's well that ends well, though.  :)  Campus mascott?  No, I haven't made a firm decision on that just yet.  I have  decided that the school colors will be red and white (with or without black trim... still fiddling) but that's the only thing for sure so far.  Thank you for the kind wishes... you'll find your other burning question answered shortly.  ;)

TiFlo:  Thanks!

Bap:  Thank you!  I guess I'm releasing multiple buildings at once... but I still make them one at a time!  :D

CabraBuitre:  Thank you!  Those ponds are still the same ones I showed a while back... these pictures just don't have all the trees and props included which makes the paths and such easier to see.  Hope that wasn't decieving.

Girafe:  Thanks!

Mikeseith:  Thank you!

Ciuu96:  Thanks!  I haven't determined the specifics of future classroom departments, save two.  The only definites that I have will be a medical school and a school of performing arts.  Beyond that, things are still pretty up in the air.

Terring7:  Thank you!  Planetarium?  Hmm... I like that idea as well.  ;)

Guilluame:  Thanks!  We'll get things wrapped up as soon as possible.

XiahouDun:  I'm definitely back... thanks for the welcome!

Jack:  I sample quite a bit... but I'm also constantly walking/moving while at work, plus a 20 minute walk through the hills on each side of the work day.  Our clientele covers a pretty broad range of people.  The outdoor education program is generally 6th-8th graders, but our retreat groups can be anything from grade or high school kids all the way over to adult groups with very discerning tastes.  So no... I don't cook a lot at my own house and when I do, it's very simple "bachelor food."  :D

Well, I've officially finished everything I can do with EP1 at this point until things come back to me for the final touches.  The two largest contributing members to this project are Andres and Tage (Ripplejet).  Andreas has been keeping very busy with the annual Advent Calendar (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=12098.0) (which you should certainly check out if you haven't already!) and Tage is currently having some computer issues that will take a little time to fix.  I'll be sending things to Andreas after Christmas and we'll just see how things go from there.  Things are definitely progressing, but don't expect a surprise upload tomorrow or anything!   $%Grinno$%

In the meantime... I was looking back over things and decided to dust off the Clayhurst Field House.  When last we saw this, the back was barely a glimmer and not even worth looking at.  That is no longer the case.  Here's the latest:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_Preview04.jpg&hash=947faed1e56711a37ce30645613f696e64825ac3)

The large central opening will be a garage door type opening... probably with a nice C or UofC logo painted on.  The largest step left will be the roof trim and hiding the wierdness of those false fronts.  Beyond that, we're down to the little details before textures.

I've started a small list of ideas that you all have provided over the last 4 or 5 pages, but in the meantime, I'm debating the final direction of EP2.  I don't think there will be any new dormitories in this one.  The main focus will be the three athletic facilities.  This whole pack could actually be filled with "gift" type buildings... sports, bell tower, alumni center, etc.  Or it could add more classrooms right away... or it could include cosmetic additions (campus entry signs, walls, etc)  So many options... but the larger the pack, the longer the wait.  So anyone with suggestions or a "sense of direction" preference feel free to leave your thoughts here.

Until next time,
JB

...Thanks for responding its looking all better-n-better  :thumbsup:

bummer on the travel front... here it was rather strange as it would snow the rain then sleet  then snow again  %wrd ...then I had to shovel it all -again!, then it got warm so it would sloppy melt... now its all froze -and I'm out salt  &sly

As for possible game plan(s)...

... finish the field house first, a name for the fieldhouse  ()what()
... colors and mascot figured out to be announced when the fieldhouse is finished
... 2 to 4 items for alumni gifts aka a bell tower,
... 2 to 4 items for campus grounds aka a couple fancy-semi fancy campus signs
... the 'gifts' and campus clutter stuff and signage could be a release on to itself EP2a

then the buildings EP2b
2, 3 or 4 classroom-department buildings
... campus wide maintenance department building
... physics-science department with a planetarium
... medical department
... Arts department with theater
... Natural resources-environmental- forestry department
  &idea prefer an architectural style indicative of late 80's thru 90's for one of the buildings; but with the university hospital/medical department/classrooms, a mix of style showing a series of additions over time... plus make one to be a university hospital and a second act as school...   "$Deal"$

Then maybe expanding the athletics department EP2c or EP3

... or some combination there of,  :-\  just keep it fun, rather simple, maybe 'kill two birds' one stone approach,
so as to create a sooner than later EP2 release ideally before you run away and 'play-cook-at-camp' again  :D  ::)

...almost forgot to add, the field house is really shaping up  :thumbsup: it looks like it should work alright  $%Grinno$%

I see a white Christmas in your future  ???  ::)  ()stsfd()

Jack

I'd suggest in the next pack to be the cosmetic things, signs, statues, sculptures, bell tower, etc; things that help establish the campus identity.  I think it would go very well with sports facilities and the whole choosing the mascot thing.

Also, while off topic, I'd like to throw my vote in for a planetarium.  They are common enough at universities, and I'd love to get ahold of one made with the quality that you put into your bats, as quality planetariums are lacking on the custom content scene.

Good to see the field house getting another run through things. I think it'll fill a nice niche in the set.

As far as a path to follow with EP2, I think a few new academic buildings in more contemporary styles might be nice. I loved the angle you took with the Debussyman School of Design, and a few more modern (or at least 70s-80s style) buildings would help add the feel of a growing university.

Aside from that, I can't seem to recall any college-style stadiums. While a number of sports could be contained within the field house, a good football stadium (different from the pros) is something I can't recall seeing much of in the game.

There are a number of existing wall packs out there, and the paths seem to fit the bill as they are, so I don't think any expansion to those is needed too soon.

I think the best addition for the next pack would be the gift/classroom idea you mentioned. Everything else seems to be fitting together nicely.

Looking forward to seeing the release of this new pack whenever it gets there. Thanks for all the work you've done on this Jon (and Tage and Andreas).
-Matt

I knew the pack wouldn't be here before Christmas, but it's kind of like that gift you're told about, but it's on back order, lol. I'm liking the field house. Glad to see you're already hard at work on the next one. Never a day off eh?

As for the next pack. I'd like to see more classroom buildings of various sizes. Though I'm going to have to disagree with threestooges over the style of the new buildings. I'd prefer to have more like the first three buildings. I'm a sucker for classic building designs. There are several buildings on my campus that I can't stand and neither can most of the students, faculty, or staff.

Jack:  Thanks!  So many ideas... I won't comment on all of them right this minute, but I have started a list of yours and all the other ideas and suggestions that have appeared here along with a reminder to myself of the ideas I've had.  You'd be amazed how many of them I forget!  ::)  I'll probably post a copy of it here sometime soon, just to see what we've got.

Matt:  Thank you!  It's always nice to hear your thoughts as well, my friend.  I agree that the paths are probably wrapped up for now, with the possible exception of a couple more "formal" quad suggestions (formal garden, fountain, etc) that I have.  Walls are in the same boat, I feel.  There was a time when I really wanted a complete matching set, but as you said, there are already so many out there it seems like overkill now.

Zach:  Thanks!  I'll definitely keep a good variety with the classroom buildings.  Yes, EP1 certainly has a much more modern flavor to the architecture, but don't let that fool you.  There will be other historic buildings in the future... like the field house, for example.  ;)

While there haven't been enough votes to give me a concrete idea of what should come next, I'm leaning towards EP2 being a collection of mainly support buildings and/or rewards (holding off on more classrooms for the moment).  There are several reasons for this.  First off, these are the easiest things to mod... not nearly as much to figure out and "program" into the lots.  Secondly, I agree that it would be nice to have a bunch of those little "extras" to really tie things together.  Thirdly, most of them will probably be a bit smaller and therefor quicker to "build."  Fourthly... um... I don't know.  Nevermind.

All that being said, I started tinkering a little yesterday.  This probably won't surprise anyone, but despite my just saying that I would hold off on the classrooms for a minute, that's exactly what this is.  I've had this idea floating around in my head for a LONG time now and I just really felt like seeing how it might work out.  University Hospital/Medical School anyone?

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FHospital_Preview01.jpg&hash=b1fbb162eb8244b13e481fe8a9cb4de03b7fb25d)

There's a long ways to go... but I like how it's coming along so far.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!
JB

Looks good so far.  :thumbsup:

I'm loving the medical school. Nice blend of modern architecture into the mix :)
Like many schools that have the med school component, they're constantly adding on/expanding with new programs like cancer research, nursing school, etc.. perhaps in a future pack an expansion of the medical school such as biomed, life sciences, dental, etc?

I absolutely love the UofC set, I use it often in my cities. Great work!  &apls

EP1 is looking fantastic!  I really like the campus shuttle concept.  It will add a lot of flexibility and realism to the game.  If possible, I'd love to see the functional and non-functional versions in separate files to make it easy for users to customize.  In a situation where there are functional and eye candy versions of lots, I'll usually pick one and delete the others to keep my menu clutter to a minimum.

I love the medical school.  This will make a fantastic large hospital, plus there will be university versions of many civic buildings now.  It should be possible to build an entire university city soon!

I think your ideas about EP2 are great.  The athletic buildings will be wonderful, and the entrances and other decorative lots would be welcome additions.  I'd also like to suggest an Arts School for the future.  You could make a functional version that provides benefits similar to the Main Library or Opera House.

It's great to have you back.  Merry Christmas to you, JB!

everything's looking wonderful.
loving the idea of functional buildings.

i'd also suggest a set of walls/fences with the entrances and decorative lots..  :-\

merry Christmas  :thumbsup:

mauricio.

Wonderful BAT, I hope (like the rest) it'll be released soon :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Looks like a very promising BAT. Very good  &apls

I like it except the ambulance entrance. The base seems just a little too small, with the hole for the entrance. Other wise, it, looks, AMAZING.

Jon,

The University Hospital is looking great, but it seems a bit small to me for some reason. I'm sure that LSU-New Orleans, Tulane University, and Emory University are all larger than this structure, I'm not even going to discuss my local University of Mississippi Medical Center (it employees ~20,000 people).

Merry Christmas!

Cheers,
Kevin

Looking great. &apls

I like! Can't wait to expand my university with EP1...

BTW your extra path lots are going to be helpful for the things BSC Parks can't do...and so are the driveways.

Jdenm:  Thank you!

Sumatra:  Thanks!  Yours and a few other comments got me thinking about the whole "medical school" concept a little bit more.  I'll explain shortly.

Scott:  Thanks!  The packaging for EP1 will be similar to the packaging of the Starter Pack.  The functional vs eye candy shuttles will certainly be in different files.  In fact, they'll actually show up in different menus.  The functional versions will be in the schools menu and won't even be available if you have other university trigger buildings plopped.  The eye candy versions will be in the landmarks menu grouped with the other driveway lots.

Mauricio:  Thank you!  I'm including a list of "confirmed" ideas in this post.

Guillame:  Thanks!

Peter:  Thank you!

Zach:  Thanks!  The ambulance entrance will stay in some form or another, but nearly all of this building can be considered a "rough sketch" at this point.  I just wanted to get a general feel of how a few ideas I had would work.  Many things will still change.

Kevin:  Thank you!  I agree that by most real standards, this would be just a little baby hospital... but we are talking about SC4 here.  ;)  Right now, this would fit on a 5x5 lot.  I think the final building will be a little larger... maybe in the 6x6 range.  But, even then, it doesn't speak to the fact that most university medical centers that I've seen (and you've described) are large sprawling complexes.  More on that in a moment.

Aaron Graham:  Thanks!

Tracker:  Thanks!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas.  I spent the day with my parents at my sister's house.  6 year old nephew and I had lots of fun... although my sister may not have appreciated every moment.  :D  Needless to say, I don't have any new pictures or anything to show yet.  In the meantime, I thought I'd put a list down of all the suggestions and ideas I've recieved that I can say have "made the cut" so far.  These are the things I definitely plan on doing for future packs.  I don't know yet which ones will be in which packs, but they are all things I plan on doing eventually.

Functional Classroom Buildings

• Medical School
• School of Performing Arts
• School of Agriculture/Forestry
• Planetarium
• Language Building*
• Culinary School*
• Phsyics/Sciences Building*

*These buildings may or may not have a specific purpose in game trems.  They might just function as additional "general education" buildings.

Athletic Facilities

• Field House
• Outdoor Football Stadium
• Indoor Arena

Alumni Rewards (for lack of a better category)

• Bell Tower / Clock Tower
• President's House
• Alumni Center

Support Buildings

• Campus Book Store
• Alternate Student Union
• Larger Maintainence Building
• Alternate Libraries (one modern feel, possibly one specific Law Library, etc)

Campus Asthetics

• Main Entry Signs (multiple choices)
• Additional "Formal" Quad Lots (garden, fountain, etc)
• Overpasses (pedestrian bridges for over main roads and/or campus driveways)
• Outdoor Gathering Lots (special lots for ie student demonstrations, holiday lots, whatever else seems like a good idea)

Finally, as I looked at the new hospital and read comments, I started thinking a little bit more about the plan for a medical school.  I think one building by itself would, in fact, wind up looking too small.  Originally, I thought I would make one building, and have it function as both university and working hospital and call it a day.  Now I have a new plan for your consideration.  Perhaps I'll make a medical school first... which will still function as a clinic, but with much lower capacity for patients.  (More school than clinic... a few people might come to take advantage of cheap care, but it wouldn't be like a main hospital open to the public.)  Once the medical school is in place, you could then have the option to "expand" your medical campus with the larger hospital, which would be a completely separate lot.  I could even make the buildings in such a way that they could appear connected when plopped correctly (perhaps even a connecting "bridge" option?) but they would still be distinct buildings with different abilities in the game.  There may be one downside to this from a technical standpoint, but I'm not sure.  I know that elementary schools plopped next door to each other don't generally play well together.  (One usually gets ignored while all students go to the other)  I'd need to make sure that the same issue does not exist with medical facilities.  Other than that... what think you?

JB

I think all of the ideas you mentioned sound superb. I am most looking foward to seeing how the sporting venues develope, espessially the Football stadium.

that's quit the list...  :-\ so which way will you go in the game play  %confuso

I like the university hospital concept, particularly the tower...

however I'm not too clear about your design intent so my thoughts are without your picture in mind... the bed tower will need elevator/stair towers on the ends and/or center, the tower lends to central aisle design sensibilities with the bed service rooms on the outside facing walls,

also the 'drive-thru, driveway' lends to design thought of a dramatic public entry multi-story atrium and the emergency/trauma area would be on one of the ends or on a wing, and the classrooms would be in the pedestal part on one end or the either with a semi dedicated student/university entry... the medical center could be civic and 'educational' or educational and 'civic'  ???

I like the design sense that is leaning towards post-modern concepts

how would pedestrian underpasses work  ()what() would it be a larger or smaller footprint versus an over pass  ???

Glad you had a good Christmas with family,

Jack

JBS:

I am really excited to see you back working at the SimCity salt mines!  :D

re: the University Hospital concept, I'm a physician and the medical school I was in was located on the university campus but was separate from the teaching hospitals. These were all off campus (but nearby). At present in the game, if I build a campus with an (imaginary) medical school, I just place a functioning hospital adjacent to the medical school or across the street.

I don't think it's a good idea (or realistic) to make a combined medical school/hospital. The teaching of the basics of medicine and the art of learning the practice of medicine are two entirely different things.

As that great Canadian physician (and the founder of modern medical education at John Hopkins Hospital) once stated: "To study medicine without books is to sail an uncharted sea, but to study medicine from books alone is to never go to sea at all......."

Hey Jon!

I wasn't meaning to suggest that you get rid of the ambulance entrance. I just wasn't feeling it where it was. But I'm sure whatever you decide will be great. My school is in the process of building a new hospital to compliment the existing one and the educational buildings. Here's a link  (http://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/images/ED-new.jpg)to the new building. Here's a picture  (http://www.mc.uky.edu/radiationmedicine/images/UKHC%20aerial.jpg)of some of the rest of the complex.

I'd also like to suggest that some of the already made academic buildings have expansions. Several buildings on my campus have been expanded since they were first built. I think some expansions would add more variety to the campus.

One more think, :) What do you think about an engineering college, either one building or perhaps an entire complex of buildings? Just a thought. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on the next pack.

Zach

Glad you spent a good Christmas! :) I hope you had a lot of presents! ;D

Well, the idea of the school-hospital might be nice (it reminds me the "CHU" in France (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire; Universitary hospital center), which are bigger than public hospitals, and they works as you described), if the next-door plopable works... It should more practical to plop them where you want and in the order you want, instead of having a big lot... where the own solution to have a personnal lot is to relot it.

And as I said, if I can help, you know where contacting me :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Well , I don't know if I'll dare one day to get involved in an american city building (I feel so uncultivated about them  $%Grinno$% ) , but that's a thread I love to visit . :)

Such long running project and such high quality of BATs & Lots is rather rare , to say the least (I know , as LotEditor , how more complicated it is than it looks to create a modular set ). It commands admiration & respect ... Thank you to show us so closely your colossal work . :thumbsup:

&apls &apls &apls

Cédric.

Quote from: JBSimio on December 22, 2010, 03:01:37 PM
CabraBuitre:  Thank you!  Those ponds are still the same ones I showed a while back... these pictures just don't have all the trees and props included which makes the paths and such easier to see.  Hope that wasn't deceiving.

Not at all... maybe I just liked 'em better this time, I dunno!

Quote
In the meantime... I was looking back over things and decided to dust off the Clayhurst Field House.  When last we saw this, the back was barely a glimmer and not even worth looking at.  That is no longer the case.  Here's the latest:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_Preview04.jpg&hash=947faed1e56711a37ce30645613f696e64825ac3)

The large central opening will be a garage door type opening... probably with a nice C or UofC logo painted on.  The largest step left will be the roof trim and hiding the wierdness of those false fronts.  Beyond that, we're down to the little details before textures.

Looks good!

Love this project...thank you for doing what you do!

Jackfrost:  Thank you!  I've been tinkering with the football stadium (in secret) for quite a long time now and, to be honest, it's the one that I'm most worried about.  I have high hopes for it and just hope I can live up to them.  ;)

Jack:  Thanks for your thoughts!  It is a long list, especially considering how slowly I've moved lately.  :D  I'm currently leaning towards EP2 including the athletic facilities and a selections from the alumni rewards and campus asthetics categories.  As for the hospital building, I wouldn't read too much into that just yet.  I was mainly experimenting with a number of different ideas all in one place.  The tower is certianly built around a "central core" concept in regards to elevators and stairwells.  Ultimately, there will need to be a fairly significant roof access level to allow access to the helicopter pad.  The ambulance drive through is actually a dead end at this point... which makes no sense at all, but I just wanted to see how it might look in this setting.

Simdad:  Thank you!  It feels good to be back!  ;)  I have come to the conclusion that I will indeed make a medical school and  a different hospital building.  Whether I include the option to "connect" the two or not remains to be seen.  I still like the idea of having that option, but much of it will depend on how the two buildings come out in the end.  Loved that quote, by the way!   :thumbsup:

Zach:  Thank you for the links!  I never turn down reference material and ideas are always a huge help.  The major problem I see in creating "expansions" for the original buildings is that they just weren't designed or lotted in ways which lend themselves to the idea.  While it would be nice, I think it would be very difficult to do well.  The only other alternative would be to resurrect the old models, create "additions," and release the building again with the option to bulldoze and replop.  All of which strikes me as a hassle many people might not want to deal with.  But I could easily be proven wrong on that guess.  ;)  The DeBussy building included with EP1 is meant to be an engineering school with increased I-HT demand as the benefit.

Guillaume:  Thank you!  It was a very nice Christmas, even with very few gifts.  :D  I recieved your PM and I plan to respond soon.  Sorry for the delay.

Cedric:  Thank you so much for your kind words.  I find myself constantly thinking about this project.  I have many moments when I see somthing and immediately think, "That's what the university set needs!"  :D  If anything, my problem seems to be having too many ideas and not enough time to work with them all.

CabraBruitre:  Glad you like it!

PrestonCo:  Thank you!

Just a quick hello today.  I don't have any nifty pictures to share at this point, but I didn't want people to begin thinking I'd disappeared again! ???  I've been playing with a few main entry signs and sketching some bell tower ideas, but nothing worth looking at just yet.  The main problem I'm having with the signs is that they wind up being unreadable.  I may have to break down and finally opt for the trendy HD renders (which I've never done yet) to see if that helps.  We'll see.

In the meantime, EP1 has been shipped to Germany (ironically by way of the internet, where shipping rates are excellent I might add) and Andreas will be working some of his helpful magic for the time being.  After that, RippleJet and I will need to have some lengthy discussions followed by even longer tutoring sessions (in which he patiently and repeatedly explains things that I frankly should have learned last time).  These will inevitably disintigrate into a few ugly arguments, complete with name calling and verbal abuse, with the occasional tirade thrown in for good measure.*  After all that, he'll work his magic when he is able and things will come together in their own timely fashion.  All of this blabber is just an extremely long way of letting you, the faithful fans of this set, know that things are progressing behind the scenes even as I waste your time by writing all of the aforementioned (good word, doesn't get used often enough) blabber.

More to come!
JB

*It is worth noting that I made that entire sentence up for no real reason beyond my own personal sense of humor... I don't think Tage and I have ever argued about anything!

... :thumbsup: anticipating the developments

EP1 sounds promising, looking forward to getting to play with it  :D so how did your Michigan Christmas go?

thanks for the shout-out  ;)

Jack

Okok, no problem, don't worry ;) :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Jack:  Christmas went very well, thank you!  It was a bit colder than I like, but I guess that's why I moved... ;)

Guillaume:  I just didn't want you to feel left out of the replies section... :D

Had groups to feed over the weekend, but I did manage to play with a few main entry type of signs.  They're both pretty simple and basic, but here's a look anyway:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FCampusSigns01.jpg&hash=41b2b98b7de1a55e9cd419d48e65df9c37653590)

The larger view is what the upper right would look like if it was readable.  I'm still debating the HD idea... it would probably help, but then again, maybe people don't want to be stuck with my words.  I know a lot of MD's and such use names which suit the author's story, so perhaps it's better if the sign can't be read?  I don't know.   :-\

I've also begun toying with the first bell tower, but it's not far enough along to be seen just yet.  Just wanted to stop by and prove that I have been doing something!   ::)

JB

I wouldn't worry too much about the readability of signs in zooms 1-5.  I don't necessarily think that upping the scale of the lettering would work because it might lead to the signs looking unrealistically scaled compared to the buildings.  I like them the way they are now to be honest.  I can see that there are letters there, and if you already know roughly what the sign is likely to say, you can read it.  Sometimes words on signs can be reduced to a small cluster of pixels that render as nothing more than a splodge of different colour, but yours look ok.

If exported as a prop, this would be an ideal candidate for HD... provided zoom 5 doesn't suffer too much for it.  Personally I hardly ever go down to zoom 6 except to plop some mayor mode flora items, so I don't really value HD... even though I continue to export certain things in it :) but it's for things like signs that HD was made for in my opinion!

You're right to consider CJers/MDers I think.  I am one myself, and I do enjoy a bit of the generic in custom content... it allows for further customisation within the story, but for a project like this which is fairly generic in its design anyway I don't think it's much of an issue. Just don't BAT any national flags into the models and I think you would have covered that consideration well enough  :P

I might as well add, since it's my first time posting here, that the rest of your work on this project is also superb :D

Yeah, I see what you mean but I didn't feel that :P

For the sign, I think (for my opinion) that's better to not be reading, because as you say, mayor who wants to include this university and follow their own story, I don't think they all want that the sign can be read. :thumbsup:

Anyway, these are very nice &apls

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Personally, I don't mind if the sign can't be read. I prefer being able to imagine what a sign says to actually knowing what it says. For something like this, though, I would think that HD might be worth it if only because people might use these for a banner in a CJ/MD update (I know I would) and it would help them if the sign was in focus.

Psander5:  Thank you and welcome to the thread!  I appreciate your input and I'm still debating the HD vs standard export.  I tend to agree with the readability being a minor point... even my own MD doesn't call the university by this name!  I'll keep an eye on other thoughts and go from there.

Guillaume:  Thanks!

Crushedcar:  Thank you for your thoughts, as well!

Putting the signs aside for a moment, I thought I'd play with one of the bell towers.  This is based pretty heavily on the bell tower at North Carolina State, although I plan on using some brick in my version.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FBellTowerA_Preview01.jpg&hash=8a866b22a3658dbe7dd7a2759feb2c3b9fbe036f)

I still have to finish the very top section which will add some more height... maybe about doube the height of the "clock section" on top of what you see here.  The entire thing will also sit on a base several steps above ground level.  I'm fairly happy with it so far, although I think I'm going to remove the spears (for lack of a better word) being held out by the statues.  In hindsight, it just doesn't work.  Still a fair bit of other tweaking to be done elsewhere too, but we'll see how it tops off first.

I plan on also having a second bell tower with a much more gothic feel, similar to the Fuhrmann Acedemic Center's style.  But that's another day...

More later,
JB

Hey JB...liking the progress,  :thumbsup:

concerning the signs the square one is neat and would be a neat subject for texture differ appearances -using brick, or stucco, or stone or some combination the then the 'low and wide' signs, I can  "$Deal"$  see 'em placed on a mound of flowers a signature shrub to a side and a signature tree to the back and opposite the shrub...

as for the 'to HD or not to HD' musings... I'd like one of the signs to be legible -whether it needs HD or not, so my sims can know who the campus is and what its about...  :P ::)

So here I am at the local nieghbor hood wifi coffee shop, breaking in my new laptop and I like it -got from a friend for $250 and its loaded with more and better than told {md7309 w/t4300cpu2.1} and its less than old, barely used... it makes up for the one that was slightly damaged when I got struck by a car day before Thanksgiving...

Like the bell tower its a promising design look, it ought to give any commons presence -it reminds me of an Italian tower I saw pics of however don't know
what or where the tower was...

Jack

Interesting design for the clock tower. I don't recall seeing many with that taper before. It's a nice change of pace; I know there are a few towers out there already, though not clock-based, which have vertical sides. I like the looks of it already.

As for the signs, I think they look fine in their current forms. Speaking as an MD'er myself, having the versatility of a generic sign with "text" on it seems preferable to Clayhurst and its many satellite campuses. I know in one of those versions you can just make out "Clayhurst" if you look closely enough though, so perhaps what you have there is a good balance. I do know that explaining writing on a building can actually be kind of fun (the 1882 on the academic center for example was fun to work with in Greenacre) but it's probably easier to have generic signs.

If you get the chance, I'd love to see a closeup of how you sculpted the clock and figures atop the tower.
-Matt

The clock tower reminds me much of one here in Providence at Brown University:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.photographersdirect.com%2Fimg%2F21621%2Fwm%2Fpd1349912.jpg&hash=5faae37d3dc68537466599500a04fb0b8ad16e6e)

Sits right on top of College Hill overlooking the campus quad.

Gothic tower? I am quickly reminded of Yale's Harkness Tower:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spetzomusic.com%2Fimages%2FP1000337.jpg&hash=fad03ee594f84d0405c22aa1d152d4c82cf826a0)

Looking great! I am anxiously awaiting EP1... truly an amazing set!

Quote from: threestooges on January 11, 2011, 05:35:45 PM
As for the signs, I think they look fine in their current forms. Speaking as an MD'er myself, having the versatility of a generic sign with "text" on it seems preferable to Clayhurst and its many satellite campuses. I know in one of those versions you can just make out "Clayhurst" if you look closely enough though, so perhaps what you have there is a good balance.

Agreed. If you query any of the lots, the query UI will show the Clayhurst University logo anyway, so there's not really a doubt about what's on the sign. ;) On the other hand, lot designers are able to use the prop for their own purposes if it looks more generic - that's something that most Maxis props have in common after all. If you really want to make even the smallest prop "readable", simply add an LTEXT file for the hover query. Only a handful of BATters make use of this feature, and even less use it for descriptive purposes (maybe even with a small joke added, like Gascooker's truck props or SimGoober's "NIMBY" people).

Really nice tower! And you know I'm waiting for your response with impatience $%Grinno$% :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Love the clock tower...or at least the start of it!

I'm happy to hear that the stadium is underway. Can I ask how big (approximately capacity) the stadium will be? Small ivy league style or powerhouse program? I'm a huge college football fan so this is by far the most anticipated item of the expansion packs for me. If you want to build the suspense, no worries!

Jack:  Thank you!  I'm glad you like the tower... hopefully you still will!   :D  I will probably make at least one more entry sign, hopefully large enough to be legible.  As for the two I've done, I plan on making mirror images of each so that there will be a "left" and "right" version to flank the entry (if one so desires... or just use one, either way).  Congratulations on the "new to you" laptop!  I think we're supposed to call them notebooks now, but I still don't either!  ;)

Matt:  Thanks!  NC State was always one of my favorite towers just for the simplicity it has... it seemed like the perfect starting point.  In truth, I didn't model the statues myself.  They are actually meshes of people props that SimGoober made available long ago.  (I don't recall if it was publicly somewhere or on the BSC board.)  I just scaled them to fit and retextured them to make them look like statues.  ;)

Sumatra:  Thank you!  Funny that you should mention the Harkness Tower at Yale.  I had already planned to borrow bits and pieces of it!  :D

Andreas:  Thank you for the thoughts.  I think I've leaned away from the HD idea... it doesn't sound important enough to anyone to be worth the extra bother.  I have used that hover query a couple times, although I usually forget about it.  I think I had some fun with the brown stone set with that parameter.  If I remember right, hovering over the burned out shell model will simply inform you that "It burned, Mayor."   :D

Guillaume:  Thanks!

PrestonCo:  Thank you!  I don't have a real good idea for the size of the football stadium yet.  I've only gotten as far as ideas right now, so I have no clue where it may end up... sorry.

Well, I think the first bell tower is pretty much wrapped up:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FBellTowerA_Preview02.jpg&hash=436192b768c1535455545349058cdfb8caddf8c9)

I had hoped to squeeze this on a 1x1 lot, but with the base added it won't quite fit.  If I'm going to keep the paths centered all pretty like, that means it will have to be a 3x3 now.  I think that will be OK though, because it will leave room for some nice landscaping around everything.  I may still tweak the lighting on this just a bit more, but it's pretty close.  I'm also still debating the texture of the bell itself... might be a little too squeaky clean right now.  Any other thoughts?

I'm hoping to get a start on the second tower later today... so we'll see how that goes.

JB

Love the tower. It remains me of towers in Italian.

like in Venice:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F00105%2FTOWER-OF-VENICE-REX_105302t.jpg&hash=bbcd1ff02b35faf4341e09fa224453bdfd494905)

Another thought from the peanut gallery... I'm obviously partial to the Campanile of my alma mater, Iowa State:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthegazette.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F06%2FISU-campanile-195x300.jpg&hash=c6b0b1f74f7f304cc4c7b33d79447b6985a8bf58)

Hey JB,

I like it, its striking in its simple form, balance in height and width... -its over all design sense :thumbsup:

the pedestal is in keeping with overall U of Clayhurst look and feel for the its campus...3x3 will make it easier to fit into plazas, commons, and allow for 'fancy' lotting embellishments too 

&idea -then -perhaps, a lot for plaza placement -more pavement, and one for courtyard/commons placement with more grass/ landscaping...  ::) once I get a though it turns into a river of thinking I only hit on what was the better of it    :)

... will the bells ringing sound effect be included  ()what()

I like the 'bubble' ltext idea for certain things... so if making a legible sign is troublesome -that would be a good substitute... then mirroring the signs is a good idea  ;)

Jack

Very impressive JB. Glad to see you're still at it. Hope all is well with you and yours. Happy New Year bud.

Very nice tower! Well, I've got to answer you now $%Grinno$%

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Arne:  Thank you!  I kept thinking it looked a little like an old light house... then you posted your picture and I think it even more!  :D

Jgehrts:  Thanks!  My cousin went to Iowa State and I've actually been to that tower.  As you'll soon see, I had been planning to incorporate the "walk through" idea into the gothic tower.

Jack:  Thank you!  I'll probably try a couple different lotting options for the first tower.  I'm thinking one with pavement and benches circling the entire pedestal... another with a bit more plantings... who knows what else?  Depending on they come out, I may offer more than one final lot for this one, but we'll see.  I'm not sure about the sound effect just yet.  I could easily borrow the sound used for churches, or I might make a custom sound too.

Jay:  Thanks!  Great to see you around!  Things are going quite well here and I hope the same is true in your neck of the woods.  Happy New Year to you too, my friend.

Guillaume:  Thank you!

I had a horribly busy weekend... over 250 people in camp from Saturday through Monday.  Needless to say, I didn't get a thing done again until finally having a chance to tinker again yesterday and today.  I've gotten a decent start on the gothic tower, but there is still a long ways to go:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGothicTower_Preview01.jpg&hash=8eab906266561dead9d9462e05f1b3d50ee0fc51)

As you can see, I am definitely using Harkness Tower from Yale as the inspiration on this one.  The bottom arches will straddle a narrow (or regular) path and this will easily fit on a 1x1.  There are still quite a few details to add to what you see so far.  In the end, this represents about 2/3 of the total height (I think...  ::) )  by the time it's done.  The columns start to get a little sloppy as things go higher, which is why they just sort of stop at the moment.  That will be the next task.  ;)

Until then,
JB

Hey JB...

When duty calls one needs to respond... for all the work you do at a camp you'll have to take a long break at a camp just to know what its like on the other side  :D

I like the proposed concepts for the Gothic Tower, the proportions appear right whoever further developments will answer a few questions... will you be using other textures for this one  %confuso as in more stonework of limestone, granites or...

good to hear from ya

Jack of the snows

Very well &apls I like the gothic american style, it's a bit different from the european gothic style :P I wait for your answer now (don't worry, I don't press you) :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

very nice JBsimio. Love your tower already  :P

Jack:  Thanks!  While I'm leaning towards the usual brick base texture for this one, nothing is definite yet.  I feel like there should be a bit more stone accents on something like this, but I'm having trouble placing more than I have so far without it feeling tacked on or forced.  So we'll see how things progress... ;)

Guillaume:  Thank you!  The collegiate gothic is certainly different from European gothic styles... like nearly everything American, we seem to borrow bits and pieces and then bastardize the rest!  (kind of like our take on Chinese food, come to think of it)  :D

Peter:  Thank you!

Slowly plugging along...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGothicTower_Preview02.jpg&hash=d08979b9cd2218ca1466cac5e0a10b39ff94438b)

This is taking a bit longer than I had hoped, simply because I'm constantly tweaking little things here and there.  One minor adjustment turns into moving 8 different things and so on and so forth.  The next part will be the transition to an octoganal top section.  I hope to get some of that started today, so I may be back.  But first... I have a late breakfast date to attend.  I'm finally going to go eat somewhere that I don't have to cook!

Until later,
JB

Thats fantastic (of course) :thumbsup: Reminds me of a high school in my area.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F3%2F3a%2FMishawaka-indiana-high-school.jpg%2F800px-Mishawaka-indiana-high-school.jpg&hash=c56968afefab577903be5631037e79871fdafa2f)

Hey JB

How's life in CA ()what() the gothic bell tower; its developing right along... :thumbsup: I like the direction its taking... lotting will pose for creative differences as it can fit in a number of ways... ::)

Trust that all is well with you and did enjoy a 'I-didn't-cook-it' with friends... do you have a neighbor hood diner that go to? here I like going to the George Webb -awesome buckwheat pancakes  :D... but it doesn't have wi-fi  &mmm but I mostly go to Tom's drive in as its the closest free wi-fi.  I also go downtown to the Aspen coffee shop too when I'm feeling more rich... being unemployed sucks  ()sad() but at any-rate,

waiting intently for the EP1 to show up the LEX... :-\

Jack

Lovely work. kee &aplsp it up.

Amazing work. in the future will there be plans for sport venues and art centers?

XiahouDun:  Thank you!  Hmmm... I may or may not have just stolen that picture for use in the future.  :D

Jack:  Thanks!  Life in California is going well.  We had some unusually nice weather up here the last couple weeks although the rain has returned now.  This town is far too small to have any chain restaurants.  Oddly enough, we still have 4 or 5 family owned places despite being a town of only around 500 (on a good day!!!)  I remember George Webb from my time in Wisconsin... I used to go there quite often after working a 3rd shift in West Bend.  Hope things are going well for you!

Aaron:  Thank you!

Banditp:  Thanks!  As I've said more than once in this thread, yes... there are sports facilities planned.  ;)

I finally had a few chances to work on the second tower again.  I think the bulk of the modelling is now finished:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGothicTower_Preview03.jpg&hash=634e676d6960158f63ceb7c6fcb0701e4b3b1699)

This is much taller than the other one, but I think that will make for a nice couple options.  Textures are next, although it might be a few days before I get back to it again.

JB

JB

Great progress  :thumbsup:

...you'll ought to save this,  :P $%Grinno$% then build a campus cathedral church around, as it would also make for a church bell steeple/tower...  ::)  -as if you don't have enough to work at...

...any news development on the mascot, school colors, gymnasium project  ()what()

Glad all is well... we are presently enjoying a January thaw in February  ??? and it feels alot better than the bitter cold

Jack

This is looking really nice! I liked that auditorium/gym a few pages back... &apls

Very nice to see a finished model

Fantastic!! :o &apls &apls
Don't forget to answer me by PM :P $%Grinno$%

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Quote from: JBSimio on February 14, 2011, 02:16:25 PM
XiahouDun:  Thank you!  Hmmm... I may or may not have just stolen that picture for use in the future.  :D

Haha, go for it. If you need any other pictures for inspiration, just let me know. Lots of interesting buildings around here.

And that tower looks amazing already. I am in awe as usual

Greeting oh your JBness'  It doesn't say so, but this is actually Duane the Oldrogue.....been quite awhile since we've talked....and am glad to see you are still alive and kicking..... this being my first time back to the site in awhile, I shall now peruse....

How far is the packaging of EP1 going?

Jack:  Thanks!  I've tried saving portions of buildings to reuse... but never had much luck with it beyond very simple detail pieces (like roof junk, utilities, etc)  Nothing new on the field house just yet, although I think I'm going to return to that soon.  Weather here has been strange... lots of rain, several bouts of hail, and they're calling for possible snow this weekend!   :o

Wwecruz:  Thank you!

Peter:  Thaks!

Guillaume:  Thank you!  I haven't forgotten your PM.  I need to put together a brief tutorial for what you asked and then I'll send it your way.   :thumbsup:

XiahouDun:  Thanks!  And thank you for your offer... I'll certainly let you know.

Duane:  Very nice to see you again!  Hope all is going well for you.

Tracker:  EP1 is still with Andreas at this point.  I'll give progress updates as I get them, but until then I'll simply refer to the NAM motto:  "It will be ready when it's ready."  ;)

Had a little time this morning to slap textures on the tower.  I actually thought about just slapping the tower, but that seemed cruel and also somewhat pointless.  Plus I didn't want to break my monitor!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGothicTower_Preview04.jpg&hash=e29a541d2ee0b39f8c455aef344f29d498e96593)

A few things to tweak here and there, but I'm fairly happy with the first pass.  I think the biggest thing will be making the bricks a touch larger and adding a bit more age and weathering to everything.  I'm still debating how I will light this one.  The exterior spot lights (like I did on the first bell tower) might be tough with all the set backs and different surfaces, but lighting from the inside doesn't make much sense either given that those are just openings (as opposed to windows) in the walls.  So I'm not sure how that will look just yet.  But that will be for another day.

Until then...
JB

Hey JB...

Liking the progress  :thumbsup: as its looking more-n-more, like what I see it to be...

Concerning the lighting... the 'ground floor' the walks-through probably be the most lit-up, then perhaps the belfry might have some light but not bright... its during the day that it will be shown off the most, so I wouldn't go too over board on lighting this up, as its use may not need so much night lighting... ya' know what I mean  ()what() I don't have anything clever to offer for the tower, perhaps later...

Then when the next textures are done, could you take a few up-close pics to show it off more  %confuso

WI weather report: it snowed shortly after the thaw -then it snowed some more, and then again, to be over 13" here and over 17" in central WI... but go figure the snowmobile trails are still closed in some counties inspite of all the snow... but no matter to me, as I don't have my sled anymore  ()sad(), I miss it but with the last several brown winters, it didn't matter too keep it -plus the cash cane in handy.  The Sturgeon fishing has been really slow this year -due to weather and ice conditions, versus last year with some record breaking fish were harvested...

Trust all is well,

The tower looks great. As far as lighting is concerned, why not just add some super cool flood lights?  :satisfied:

Thanks,
Garrett

Nice Progress.

Ok, I'm glad you haven't forgotten me $%Grinno$%
Very nice progress as said peter007 :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

 :( where's the other building??

Quote from: JBSimio on February 24, 2011, 01:42:07 PM
EP1 is still with Andreas at this point.  I'll give progress updates as I get them, but until then I'll simply refer to the NAM motto:  "It will be ready when it's ready."  ;)

RL is keeping me busy lately, I haven't touched SC4 at all since at least two months. Hopefully, march will bring some more time, but then again, there's also "wonderful" stuff to do, like making your tax return and similar joys.

Jack:  Thanks!  Yes, I did plan on mounting a hanging light fixture inside the archways... although I'm not sure how much it will show unless I put a "false floor" in (which I'd rather not do, since it will then cover up the path texture of your choice).  I may also mount some lights on either side of the arches.  For the rest, I think I'm leaning towards the flood/spot light look, but we'll see.  My parents had (probably) the same storm as you in Michigan although it "only" produced about 9 inches there.  The snow hype here in the Bay area amounted to nothing, although it was certainly cold enough the last few mornings.  Even had it snowed and stuck, it would have only lasted a few hours past sunrise anyway.   :D

Garrett:  Thank you!  That's the direction towards which I'm leaning.

Peter:  Thanks!

Guillaume:  Thank you!  I still haven't forgotten!  My apologies for the delay.   ::)

Bodek:  I'm afraid you'll have to be a bit more specific... there are dozens of buildings in this topic.  It's kind of like going to the RHW thread and asking about "that one texture."   $%Grinno$%  (Unless you were referring to this one, in which case... you're in luck!)

Andreas:  Thanks for the update!  As you well know, I certainly understand RLS.  On a positive note, my taxes have been done for a while... ;)

Didn't have a whole lot of time this weekend.  And I really didn't feel like messing about with tedious lighting tests during what little time I did have.  So... I tinkered a bit more with the Field House instead.  I added all of the roof trim pieces, along with the roof junk and some satellite dishes for broadcasting purposes:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_Preview05.jpg&hash=6d107177031a2a0b66e78480879775584abf511c)

The real life Yost Ice Arena (University of Michigan hockey, which is where this building came from) still has a large chimney which I've been debating since day one.  I'm leaning towards leaving that off on my version.  I still have a few more mechanical type things to put around the back of the building and then go back and add any other exterior lights for doors and such that I've missed.  Beyond that, I should be able to start texturing this fairly soon.

Until then,
JB

Ah, an old fashioned arena. Love it.  Can't wait to see it finished! &apls

Those are some really big satellite dishes....I Really love the detail. Great job thus far  :thumbsup:

Fantastic work ! Hope it is not too late to speak my idea !
How about incorporating the Advanced Research Centre and Medical Research Centre into the pack?

Quote from: JBSimio on February 27, 2011, 04:49:52 PMDidn't have a whole lot of time this weekend.

Yet you're able to add exceptional details like that. Nice bits there Jon. If possible, can you show a close up of the HVAC models without textures? Did you put those together yourself from scratch? Also, I just noticed the old satellite dishes up there, nice touch on those.
-Matt

Excellent! &apls And no worries for the delay, I can wait a bit more (but not so long anyway! :P - I joke of course :thumbsup:)

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Very nice. Updates. How much buildings did you create since you began posting here?

That could be a real nice railway station as well. :)

I thought that looked familar. Of course you'd do the Yost Arena :thumbsup: Looks fantastic.

Go Blue $%#Ninj2

Thanks for the field house update...  :thumbsup:  I particularly like the brick work, the red entry doors and the hvac stuff... its really coming into its own...

concerning the sat. dishes I'd take one 'em out and replace it with a smaller one as there is more than one transmit frequency...

and with that in mind perhaps a reception ariel and a short radio tower -could double as the campus radio station too (wuoc, kouc) placing a sign nearby or on door   ???

no weather report this time round... ???  ::)

Knuckleball:  Thank you!

Cali:  Thanks!  Yes, they are definitely larger than normal, but I justify that by saying they're meant for broadcasting and not recieving signals.  (I don't know if that actually makes a difference in reality, but it's the excuse I'm using!)  :D

Huntingfire:  Thanks!  It's not too late, although I think I'll be holding off on any new classrooms until the following expansion.  That could still change... but it's the direction I'm headed in for now.

Matt:  Thanks!  I did make these particular units from scratch, yes.  Your request and more explainations follow.  ;)

Guillaume:  Thank you!  Your wait is also over below.  ;)

Peter:  Thanks!  How many buildings?  Oh boy... let's see...  :-\  The university Starter Pack contained 10  different buildings (plus quite a few prop models) and 56 lots.  EP1 contains 14 buildings and 28 lots.  So far for EP2 I have 3 buildings (including this current one) and 2 entry sign models.  And that's just for the University stuff!   :o

Meastro:  Good point... I agree.  I rarely recycle buildings, but this one could be worth the extra time.   :thumbsup:

XiahouDun:  Thank you!  I've always loved this building although this is definitely not an accurate recreation.  It's actually my second attempt... the first of which was years ago for the Barry Sanders Project long before I had any business taking on a building like this!  :D

Jack:  Thanks!  I could easily alter the size of one satellite dish to break up the monotony a bit.  I was thinking about an ariel or radio tower as well, but we'll see how it looks first.  I don't want to get too carried away and risk distracting from the rest of the building.  ;)

This is not a proper update at all... I'm here to fulfill a couple requests instead.  Guillaume had asked me (via PM) about my methods for making glass doors/window walls.  Since I made a mini tutorial to answer the question, I thought I might as well just post it here on the off chance that it might help others as well.

But first, Matt also wanted a closer look at the HVAC units from the Field House.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FHVAC_Top.jpg&hash=3034c30d792ec0fe8144238987e2813152e5f192)

The unit itself is simply a box (although I made each side a seperate piece) with some holes cut into the top for fans and one side for venting.  The fans are three small rectangles on angles for fan blades with a "hub" piece to tie them together.  The ducting is simply a series of boxes with 90 degree sliced tubes for elbows.  Each "joint" is made with a simple rectangle using mesh settings of 0.15 thickness and 4 sides.  After the "edit mesh" modifier, I also add the "smooth" modifier to give them the nice, crisp edges.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FHVAC_Perspective.jpg&hash=410f45d7a69c9905d25a9aa10a784f5ea41d00ac)

And that's a look before any textures (which I haven't done yet anyway).  If you need more details, Matt, just let me know.  ;)

Now... for Guillaume, we're going to go into a bit more detail about making a glass wall with entry doors.  Here's a look at what we'll ultimately end up with:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass_Complete.jpg&hash=534a2d5df394a9dcbaff26c33eb1e0907d0045cc)

We'll start with a simple wall (ignore the extra openings... I just used an exsisting building for this demonstration) and make an opening for the glass section.  In this case, I'm making a full window wall with a double door in the center.  I generally make my single doors somewhere in the area of 1.3 - 1.5 meters wide and 3.2 - 3.5 meters high for commercial buildings.  (Slightly smaller for residentials.)  In this case, a single door is 1.4 x 3.4 meters.  I'm going to have a double door, plus two additional windows on either side.  This gives me an overall opening that will be 8.4 meters wide.  Since I also want this to have extra glass above the doors, I've made the opening 4.8 meters high (my ceiling will be at 6 meters) and left it 0.2 meters off the ground to leave room for a floor inside and a stoop outside.  I've also made the wall 0.3 meters thick which is my general standard for "normal" walls.  None of these measurements are necessarily essential, but I include them here for the sake of discussion.  ;)

Now lets get started on the doors and windows themselves.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass02.jpg&hash=805cb9a3fe69c7334061e8b4d0a2c7dbe8d2c073)

By snapping to the corners of the wall opening, I simply draw a rectangle for the main frame.  Notice the Mesh Settings.  The thickness and number of sides can be whatever works for your building, but these are the ones I'm using here.  Now for the pieces that will divide the glass into windows and doors.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass03.jpg&hash=a1055088f4a8bca97b7b315c8874868595e0ff72)

I'll simply snap lines with the same mesh settings and move them into place.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass04.jpg&hash=ea6c2fd45fce87df08aa71622178bc942725a8c9)

After moving and cloning the line, I wind up with 5 dividing lines.  As I mentioned earlier, my doors will be 1.4 meters wide and I've kept the windows the same as well.  So in this case, I have my lines at x= -2.8, -1.4, 0, 1.4, and 2.8.  Now I'll do the same for the cross members.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass05.jpg&hash=6376ad2792e5073c2aaf5eb2d79cd03cea3e4d17)

My upper cross member stretches the full width of the opening and also forms the top for my "doors."  Since I want my doors to be 3.4 meters tall, I've placed this line at z=3.6 (the bottom of my frame is 0.2 meters off the ground, don't forget.)  I also placed two cross members across the flanking windows just for the heck of it.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass06.jpg&hash=c79dc198487fae75179e6c19bf73f5cdd5130864)

All these pieces make up a completed frame.  I've gone back to our first rectangle, added an "edit spline" modifier and attached all the individual lines to it.  I then added an "edit mesh" modifier (which is essential for the piece to show up in renders) and my UVW Mapping (I used the box mapping) just so I don't forget later.  The other key thing I've done is moved the frame back so it is center inside the wall.  Since the wall is 0.3 meters thick, I've centered this piece at y=0.15.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass07.jpg&hash=226b979e5ebaa1663149d883d45a5cd9174ca16d)

Now for the glass itself.  I simply draw a new rectangle (be sure to uncheck the mesh settings) to the outer most corners of the frame.  This will overlap the glass slightly inside the wall and help prevent light leaks later.  Notice how it's all nice and centered in the frame?  Then we'll simply add a "Planar" UVW Mapping for the glass.  Pick your texture and the appropriate opacity, specular level, and glossiness settings for whatever you usually like for window glass.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass08.jpg&hash=99e9ba1b8d01efabfa961dadf447fc55f6a131c6)

All we still need are some handles.  I always put crash bars and interior handles on my glass doors.  They're not always noticable during the day, but the will show up and/or cast shadows with proper night lighting so I feel it's worth the extra moment.  I start with the crash bar, drawing a simple line with the same mesh settings as the frame.  I place it slightly below the center of the door (z=1.7 in my case) and just behind the glass (y=0.25 here).  I also add the "edit mesh" modifier at this point again.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass09.jpg&hash=e3acc015d1e66d9ceed5b341ace7f46d331dafe4)

For the interior handles, I simply make two small rectangles (0.5 meters wide by 0.3 meters high) and place them just to either side of my center divider.  I then join the two as one piece with an "edit spline" modifier and attaching one to the other.  I then extrude them as thin pieces away from the glass.  At this point, I would select the crash bar with these handles and have them both share the same UVW Map.  (It's such a small piece that it seems pointless to texture them individually anyway.)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass10.jpg&hash=9861287a29185a5c080790450b0ac07d339f6ccc)

For the exterior handles, I turn the mesh settings back on and simply make two lines on either side of the center divider again.  (My lines are 0.5 meters high for it's worth.)  I attach them again, add the "edit mesh" modifier, and UVW Mapping.  And of course these will be placed slightly forward of the glass to be seen from the outside.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGlass_Complete.jpg&hash=534a2d5df394a9dcbaff26c33eb1e0907d0045cc)

Add some textures, and there you have it!  Hope this helps, my friend!

Until next time,
JB

Thank you for this very helpful tutorial my friend!! ()stsfd() I'll show you what I wanted to do soon :thumbsup:
And HVAC unit is very well done!

Guillaume :thumbsup:

This is my first post and i want to say im totaly amazed at the dedication and interest of JBSimio.  You really have made our enjoyment of the game take flight.  i've always hoped for a more in-depth university in the game; one that can be expanded and fully functional and you answered the call, so for that i thank you!

After reading all 18 pages of this thread and i wanted to add a couple suggestions from a local university near where i currently live.  please forgive me if i mention anything you have already said or are currently designing.

1. i know you're working on sports facilities and i'm sure you've already considered a stadium, baseball and an arena, but have you considered a Rec Center?  Something similiar to a building used for exercise/swimming/weight rooms.

2. i've already read posts about culinary, frat and soriorty houses, and a growing medical school, which i think are incredible ideas, but how about:

college of education (used for education teachers of tomorrow)
college of Fine and performing arts (Dance/Theater/Music/Art) - could include some auditoriams
campus bookstore/campus newspaper/parking garages/dining halls/admin office (where students register)
college of criminal justice that can also have a police academy
College of economics, religious studies, computer science, or a college of science (physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy w/ planetarium)
graduate school

i hope i've offered something new to your already incredible list.  thank you

Thanks for that Jon! That's something I'd been pondering for a while. I've never had much chance to poke around actual HVAC units before, so that was an excellent indication of how to put one together. The fan was the most helpful. I've tried several variations, but they all seem to mess up on preview/export. Simple is indeed better here. The joints are a nice detail too. I'll see if I can incorporate some of that into my future works. Thanks again.
-Matt

Wow thanks for the tutorial, I used it immediatelt on one of my buidlings.
And it's a very good method

Just a quick hello to everyone.  Things have been quite busy here the last several weeks and I haven't had a whole lot of time to dedicate to anything.  Last weekend, I did finally have some time... so I got all settled in to start textures for the Field House.  Imagine my chagrin (good word... doesn't get used often enough) when 5 minutes after starting up the desktop it decided to shut itself back off!   :angrymore:  :angrymore:  :angrymore:

Long story short... I'm fairly certain the motherboard died and I wound up with a new desktop which arrived on Tuesday.  I'm hoping to finally get that set up later today.  Then the big question becomes the hard drive (although I'm pretty sure that it is still readable) and transferring everything over to the new machine.  If that doesn't work, I'll lose a couple months as my last full backup to the laptop was just before Christmas.  I think all will be well... but we'll find out this afternoon.   &mmm  In the meantime, it will still take a little while to get things back to normal one way or the other.

With any luck, I'll be back later this weekend with some updates and personal replies.

Until then,
JB

Good luck.  I hope it all works out for you.

Robin  :thumbsup:

I hope for you that all will work again!

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Hey JB

...that really sucks  &sly  ()sad()  :'(

Here is hoping that all will work out well and good...  :thumbsup:

perhaps a lesson can be learned here back-up, back-up, back-up ??? BUT to where   &Thk/( a desk-top, and a portable HD, and/or an off site storage site  ::)  :P a cheeky effort at being chuckles  ???

So during the 'experiencing technical difficulties -please standby', I will be  standing by  :satisfied:

Jack

Looks like we all get our share of bad luck lately. At the moment, I don't have a car, since I collided with a deer, causing quite some damage (and killed the poor thing). After months of grey-in-grey, we have some really nice weather since about two weeks, but I can't enjoy it at all, having to deal with all kinds of RL stuff. *sigh*

Guillaume:  Thank you!  And you're welcome!  ;)  I'm glad you found the mini-tutorial helpful.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you've come up with.   :thumbsup:

Thedonclark:  Welcome and thank you for your kind words!  I also appreciate the suggestions and ideas.  I hadn't thought of a specific Rec Center exactly, although I like the idea either as a stand alone building, or perhaps combined with the idea for a larger student union type building.  Some of your "College of..." ideas are definitely on my list.  Since I plan to skip additional classroom buildings for EP2, I will hold off on printing that list until later.

Matt:  I'm glad the close up pictures helped!   :thumbsup:

Peter:  Thank you!  Happy to be of assistance.  ;)

Robin:  Thanks!  Things seem to be back on track.

Guillaume:  I think it all works again.  ;)

Jack:  It was indeed a tense moment here at the headquarter's building, but I think all is now well.  :D  I'd been backing things up to my laptop, but I really need to find a simple to use program to make it a bit more automatic and not so manual.  My methods have been fairly "labor intensive" in the past and I think that's why I wasn't quite as regular about it as I should have been.

Andreas:  Sorry to hear about your car and the deer!  At least your weather is on the upswing.  Ours has been very stormy as you soon shall read...

Well folks, there is good news and there is bad news.  The good news is that the old hard drive was perfectly fine and I have spent two evenings salvaging and transfering things to the new desktop.  In fact, after a few weeks to make sure that I haven't forgotten anything important, I will probably wipe the old hard drive clean and leave it installed as an internal back up for the operating system, etc.  I've reinstalled the game, BAT, and all the nifty content creating tools as well as copied my original regions, plugins, and model files over.  Everything is proceeding at a wonderfully tedious and mind numbing pace.   ::)

The bad news is that I was unable to do anything today, despite getting home already at 1:00 due to the fact that the power had been out since late last night and only recently came back on.  We've had some pretty wicked storms here in the Bay Area and camp is littered with downed trees, branches, and other things that just seemed to move in from elsewhere.  (We passed 10 inches of rainfall for March last night and 3 or 4 of those have been this weekend.)  In fact, things are such a mess here that I actually got lost walking to work today!   ???  I'm not just talking about being a little disoriented and thinking, "Well this path doesn't look like it usually does."  No... I mean to say that while trying to climb over some downed trees across the trail, I somehow lost the trail completely and got so turned around that I didn't know where I was anymore!  (Keep in mind that, although it's very dark and I have a head lamp flashlight, I walk this route every morning)  I actually had to call (and wake up) some co-workers to come find me and help me!  I knew I couldn't have gotten too far off the trail... so it was mostly a matter of waiting until they could hike in and get close enough to see each other's lights.  All worked out fine in the end, but it was a miserable, wet, embarrassing, and above all scary hour or so.  Then of course, I finally made it to the kitchen and had to feed the group without the benefit of electricity.   ::)

So anyway... in conclusion... I just wanted to stop by and let everyone know that things will pick up right where we left off with no setbacks.  But in the meantime, I was apparently getting too bored with such an "easy" life and felt the need to keep things interesting!   :D

JB

Thanks for the updates JB...

as I was really wondering what would become of the latest computer drama -a simple Thank-God for small wonders and continued Clayhurst developments

Concerning the weather reports and subsequent camp damages -holy cow whats going on over there  ()what() then the walk-about adventure to boot... sounds like some happening  :) and alls well that ends well too

Here it been rather quit weather trend slowly making it way towards spring... the snows this past winter broke numerous records; going over 30"...the robins are back and demanding their annual bird seed binge but I was too slow, they moved on and the chickadees are gorging themselves instead... however the weather prognosticators are talking up a storm mid-week from the north with snow and rains and whatever else makes it sound all the more sensational...

Andreas: as for the hitting a deer... I can relate, the dumb deer of WI are so...dumb, I've struck five deer since having a license with one being painfully expensive occurring at a bad time of events in life (dad passed away, finals were happening, ran out of funds and gas, etc) so I for one am a deer hunter, with a cause  $%Grinno$%... as well as an active deer conservationist...  trust that every thing will come round and be 'at peace' so you and yours can breath...

glad all is well for the most part... keep the rain gear handy...

Jack

Jack:  The rain gear is certainly still needed.  The newest batch of rain moved in last night and is set to continue through Saturday.  The heaviest rain (and wind again) are expected tonight and tomorrow.  Here's hoping the trees stay where they belong!  :D

No textures yet, but in all the computer confusion, I failed to give the final modeling update.  I added a couple other utility machinery type of things around the back of the building.  One is a fairly simple, yet large, electric service panel.  The other is... well, I don't really know.  I just thought it might look cool.  ;)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_Preview06.jpg&hash=466a07a22b46bf4c6b1d4ac80dcf065d2b789c68)

A have an actual weekend off coming my way   :o  and am hoping to get the textures started and/or finished with the free time.  I may also start exporting some of the previous bits I've shown here and get a little lotting done.  Of course this all depends on the power staying on and the creek leaving my house intact!   ::)

JB

I pass this on my way to work everyday....

Impressive.  ;D

Excellent my friend, excellent!!! &apls And in parallel of my project (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=12743.0), I'm working on the "guest BAT" :D

Guillaume :thumbsup:

JB...

the field-house -excellent, well executed prop choice, like the 'newer' dishes... it ready to go for texture and then...

weather report... after the last post that 'sensational' mid-week storm dumped over 18" of snow in parts hour north of me and I got 14" of wet heavy snow 'to play with', however my driveway drifted in over 3' for most of its length so asked a neighbor for help about that... according to wbay records, this winter has broke numerous records placing 6th in the snowiest of over 80".  No wonder my back aches...  :D .  The storm was something as TU evening-night it thunder snowed  %confuso -loudly too, the light effect of lightening in snow was really neat... it took awhile to dig out and now its 'back-ache' time at Tom's drive-in...  %wrd its funny that it happens that way  ::).

keep dry and I hope that the canoe will stay tied up...

Jack  :satisfied:

Ryan:  I keep forgetting that you're in Ann Arbor now.  Obviously this is nowhere close to a "recreation" but I always liked the overall look of Yost Ice Arena and wanted to put it to use somehow.  Nice to see you lurking around a little bit again lately.  ;)

Guillaume:  Thank you!  I've been poking my head in at your thread from time to time.  I really need to take the time to comment there soon.   ::)

Jack:  Thanks!  The rain continues here in the redwoods...  &mmm

Did I mention I had this weekend off?!?    %BUd%  I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon and again this morning making and then adding textures.  There are a few tweaks needed, but first here's a look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_South07.jpg&hash=ac5763ada6867d5ed64fe174b6da7dee5ac60ea9)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_West07.jpg&hash=4ff152f3d22587b9235f5b483978ee4ac5d41218)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_North07.jpg&hash=fa3dcbc9338a6ad32a50a791c9897bdb116742f0)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_East07.jpg&hash=731374d1caaed938f478519c6bef56e12ad91640)

The sloped portion of the roof is the main thing that I need to fix.  I know it doesn't look right, but I can't quite decide why... which naturally means that I'm not sure how to fix it yet.  :D  A couple other minor tweaks here and there on some other areas should pretty much do the trick for everything else.  Lighting for this one should be fairly simple as well.  Athletic facility #1 is almost finished.  ;)

More to come...
JB

The only thing about the roof that kind of threw me off personally was that it looks fuzzy. Otherwise, the building looks fantastic - but that shouldn't be surprising to anybody.

super...super; luv the direction it is taking...  :thumbsup:  The name appears to simply say 'Clayhurst field house' -like it, and the UC on the garage door excellent job -keep it...

is the letter color choice of the UC to some sort of brown, intended  ()what()... thought the intended school colors were red/white... change of mind, or just a change in 'decor' choice  &Thk/( 

weekends off always make for a good morale boost  :D

I am absolutely loving this addition. Aside from the roof, the textures and details are great. While watching the progress of the field house, I was constantly reminded of a similar field house here in Providence RI, Marvel Gymnasium. It was owned by Brown University and has since been torn down, but I believe the structure had slate on its roof...
http://artinruins.com/arch/?id=rip&pr=marvelgym#top1 (http://artinruins.com/arch/?id=rip&pr=marvelgym#top1)  ()what()

Maybe something smaller with deep textures for the roof?  Such as slate tile... This appears to be an older building, therefore, anything modern such as metal sheeting or asphalt may look out of place?

The angled section of the roof should be either (slightly rusted) corrugated iron, some sort of shingled roof, or some sort of glass roof (the latter would be good if you did end up making some sort of station out of it later - it's pretty common for stations to have such things). The current texture just looks like insanely oversized bricks, which is probably why it looks wrong. If you're going to go with a brick-like texture (which might work if you do it right), orient them the other way so that they're running on the roof line. it'd look much better IMHO.

Other than that it's looking fantastic.  :)

Jgehrts:  Thank you!  Yes, the entire first pass at the roof struck me as fake looking.   &ops

Jack:  Thanks!  The colors on the UC logo have been adjusted... I got a bit carried away with desaturation on the first pass.   :D

Sumatra:  Thank you!  I've reverted to shingles for the roof after many (failed) attempts to "fix" the other idea.

Cammo:  Thanks!  I tried corrugated metal, but didn't like that look either.  I might go back to that combined with large skylights for a station version though.

Well between the suggestions here and on the BSC board, I flat out gave up on the roof idea I originally had.  It just wasn't working no matter what I tried.  So, along with the more traditional shingles as seen on many of my other university buildings, I made a few other texture adjustments here and there.  Here's the new look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_South08Day.jpg&hash=23cd13a1ad684253b8b5bf700c603b9c22092bc6)

Afterwards, I got the lighting done:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_South08Nite.jpg&hash=be472bc66c7f0beaabc5453597b7d96ff08ead87)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_West08.jpg&hash=eb6e7aa1af7ddc673ca7a9a3b34f914dbec23e69)

The deep red of the main entry doors (front and sides) don't look very well lit here, but they will definitely show up better with a night mod such as Gizmo's.  Unless someone sees any other last minute show stoppers, I'm ready to call this finished!

More later (perhaps!),
JB

Hey JB,

thanks for such a quick update...

the logo letter color is better... too bad about the 'tin' roofing as that would have been a good look for this project BUT the shingle-look suits it also... I think it turned out very well I don't see anything obvious to pick at  ::)... the lighting is just right, so I say it ought to be good to go...  :thumbsup:

Have you gotten any ep1 updates of late or is rl still keeping things on hold... %confuso

Jack  :satisfied:

Jack:  Thanks!  Nothing new to report on EP1 just yet, but I know Andreas is a busy guy even at the best of times.  All in good time... ;)

Well, it's later.  The rain continues and the power went out for a couple hours again, but fortunately that happened in between projects.  I got the second tower lit and was staring at pictures for the arena when things suddenly got dark.  (Well "darker than usual" would probably be more appropriate for my house!)  Anyway, in addition to lighting the tower, I thought it might be fun to have a mosiac tile type version of the UC inside the tower.  It's very easy to get rid of if need be, but then there will be nothing to show the light beneath the tower.  So what do you think?

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGothicTower_Preview05.jpg&hash=4fc7ad27961b837990d6a0988ca8c85a935e1ff6)

Needless to say, I didn't get as big a start on the arena as I had hoped, but here's a brief teaser anyway:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_Preview01.jpg&hash=ce5dee18d04b9eca3a475cb48687a0007f497cd9)

The upcoming week may be a little busy again, so I'm not sure how quickly this will progress.  We'll see how things go.

Until then,
JB

Really well done, I love :o And I like the beginning of the area :thumbsup:

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Things are looking very good in here.  As for the tiles under the tower, i say keep em, helps give the university that identity it needs and it looks good to boot.

Quote from: JBSimio on March 27, 2011, 11:40:48 AM
The deep red of the main entry doors (front and sides) don't look very well lit here, but they will definitely show up better with a night mod such as Gizmo's.  Unless someone sees any other last minute show stoppers, I'm ready to call this finished!

Hi JB. One thing called my attention in your night light pictures of the atlhetic facility #1. It seems a bit strange that the upper row of 7 windows in the sloped part of the building (as well as the similar row of 11 windows on each side of the building) shows no night lights when the lower windows are quite transparent and illuminated. Was that made on purpose? Otherwise, this seems another excellent BAT of yours!

JB, I love the Fieldhouse. It looks great. BUT... I hate to be THAT guy, but I'm not too fond of the Clayhurst stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love the UC stuff you're creating, but for myself, my universities aren't called Clayhurst. I imagine I'm not the only one. So labeling the buildings as such might create issues for some Mayors. Just my two cents. I'm looking forward to incorporating these buildings into my campus. Good thing I left room for expansion, :)

I thought I would come in here and check on how things are going with Clayhurst, and I like what I see.  I prefer the new roof texture to the old one.  I like the red doors, too, because I feel like they add to the character of the building and the university in general.  The tiles under the tower add to the university's character in the same way. 

It's a shame you keep on having all of those power outages, but it's good that your computer situation worked out OK.  Good work, JB!  :thumbsup:

Quote from: Zacharuno on March 28, 2011, 02:45:55 PM
JB, I love the Fieldhouse. It looks great. BUT... I hate to be THAT guy, but I'm not too fond of the Clayhurst stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love the UC stuff you're creating, but for myself, my universities aren't called Clayhurst. I imagine I'm not the only one. So labeling the buildings as such might create issues for some Mayors. Just my two cents. I'm looking forward to incorporating these buildings into my campus. Good thing I left room for expansion, :)

That's a good point...and especially on the bell tower mosaic. Not every university made with these pieces will have a "C" name. But it looks good anyways.

Guillaume:  Thank you!

Utvaw:  Thanks!

Bap:  Thank you!  Yes, the windows you mention are purposely blacked out.  The RL building that this one was based on is the same way.  Those windows have actually been covered (or replaced) with flat black sheet metal while still retaining the historical look of the frames.  I kind of liked the idea and simply copied it on my version.

Zacharuno:  Thanks!  I completely understand what you're saying.  I had the same debate with myself and in this thread a few pages back when I was making the entrance signs.  "How readable should they really be?"  For the record, the university in my own MD isn't even called Clayhurst!  :D  For the most part, I've tried to keep things as generic as possible while still scattering some names or logos around to give a sense of identity.  Even when I do include such labels, I'm trying to do it in a way that can be easily blurred or even hidden.  On the Field House, I'd say the front carved stone name plate is barely readable and could easily say something else with the power of suggestion.  ;)  The rear door is painfully obvious, but at the same time, how many people are going to take a picture of the back of a building for their MD?  The mosaic tile beneath the bell tower is partially hidden and could really say anything.  I'm not saying all this is set in stone, but this is how I see it for now.  Anyone can feel free to disagree and adjustments could still be made if need be.

Metarvo:  Thanks!  Glad to see you stopping by and I'm equally glad that you like what you see.  Hopefully Spring will arrive here soon and we can forget power outages for a while!  :D

Tracker:  See above for the long answer.  ;)  The mosaic texture could easily be adjusted to make more white and less lettering visible if need be.

As I said in the replies, I'm very open to the "generic" versus "labeled" debate.  On the one hand, a sense of identity helps to tie everything together.  On the other hand, I understand that no one wants to be stuck with obvious names which they may not want to use.  It's a fine line to tread and I've explained my current approach which attempts to satisfy both sides.  If that approach isn't working then let the debate continue.  You all should know by now that I rarely consider myself infallible!  :D

Spent a few hours tinkering with the arena last night and again this afternoon.  Here's the latest:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_Preview02.jpg&hash=604c94486f57a6abe6a662c0889cc725473f955a)

The curved walls are just place holders for now, but it should give a little bit of an idea where this is headed.  Some people may also now be able to recognize the inspiration for this one.  This should wind up fitting on a 6x6 lot... give or take.

Until next time,
JB

 &apls Wow that is looking grand.

For the labeling debate going on, I get the point both sides are making. Its not really an issue for me though. My region name is Chiana, so its going to be UC anyways :D

Hey JB. Thanks for the response. I think I've read every page of every thread you've created, so I'm quite familiar with the debate, which is why I brought it up. :) I don't mind the buildings being named. In fact, I'd rather them be named and modeled with names than to be empty and void of personality. As for the tower mosaic, you're right. You can't really tell what it says, so I vote it stays the same. But with regard to the 'back' of the building. If you're taking a snap shot of your campus, odds are, not all buildings are facing the same direction and the FH may end up having the back facing the camera. My two cents, again.

A general question now. What's the difference between a Fieldhouse and an Arena? There's Allen Fieldhouse at Kansas and Rupp Arena at Kentucky. So they're both used for Bball, among other things. Is there a difference with regard to these two buildings, or just for variety?

Thanks!

BTW the arena looks good. I'm excited to see more.

Really nice, but I wondered... how do you do these wonderful rounded walls? One more time, a BAT question $%Grinno$%

Guillaume :thumbsup:

This is such a big project and it's looking great. I can wait to see it finish. :thumbsup:

Hm... an Arena... Could be passed off as a Theatre or Cinema too.  ;)

Also, the Placeholder Colour you're using for the fascia looks like Stucco or painted concrete... me like  :thumbsup:


Looks good so far.

Hey JB,

Trust all is well and good with you... I've been on sick leave the passed 4 days, it sucked  ()sad()... but I am on the mend.
 
the weather here is strangely acting... %confuso, after the snow storm, it turned colder than normal and all spring events are delayed... now their forecasting more snow then rain over the weekend... so march will go out the lion unlike the lamb of its coming...

I like the tower, its lighting and the mosaic logo however I'd make a bigger diameter that fits in side that will show it off better; plus save the mosaic to use in a couple of other applications -like an 'class of' alumni gift,

the arena teaser is that a teaser  :P... it kinda has that look of a mid 70's arena even the progress suggest that mode... so what direction of period look are you shooting for?
maybe give it a name ie Llama arena or some such cheeky name... perhaps named for the UC-mascot... just some  &Thk/(

Jack

Quote from: Jack_wilds on March 30, 2011, 01:37:33 PM
Hey JB,

Trust all is well and good with you... I've been on sick leave the passed 4 days, it sucked  ()sad()... but I am on the mend.
 
the weather here is strangely acting... %confuso, after the snow storm, it turned colder than normal and all spring events are delayed... now their forecasting more snow then rain over the weekend... so march will go out the lion unlike the lamb of its coming...

I like the tower, its lighting and the mosaic logo however I'd make a bigger diameter that fits in side that will show it off better; plus save the mosaic to use in a couple of other applications -like an 'class of' alumni gift,

the arena teaser is that a teaser  :P... it kinda has that look of a mid 70's arena even the progress suggest that mode... so what direction of period look are you shooting for?
maybe give it a name ie Llama arena or some such cheeky name... perhaps named for the UC-mascot... just some  &Thk/(

Jack

A mid-70s design but renovated. Personally, I'd like something a little more true to the 1970s design.

Hi everyone... no update today, and no replies just yet either.   ???  I'll get to both later in the weekend.  In the meantime, I'm here to fulfill another tutorial request.  Guillaume asked about building the curved walls.  The short answer is, "It's just a tube!"  :D  The long answer is next...  ;)



Before we get into my methods for modeling curved walls, I first want to mention that nearly all of my modeling is done using the spline methods described  here (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=9925.msg302308#msg302308).  While I wouldn't necessarily categorize what I'm about to describe as "advanced," it will definitely make more sense if you're already familiar with things described in Couchpotato's tutorials.

The most important thing in creating curved walls is planning ahead and setting things up from the beginning.  Don't get me wrong, trial and error will be a huge part of the whole thing, but you'll save a LOT of trouble later by getting that trial and error out of the way early.  (Trust me!)  In this case, we'll be making a large curve that covers the entire west side of my building.  I know I want it centered to a certain portion of my existing model, which here can be seen as the dark orange wall on the same side.  This section has a centerpoint of y=33.  To begin, I will simply create an arc in the top view by snapping each end to the corners of the orange wall.  After each side is snapped you can stretch the arc into the approximate curve you think you want.  It doesn't have to be exact at this point and you don't need to worry about the specific placement yet either.  This is just a starting point.

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"But Jon... why snap it to that wall when we'll be putting it way out at the end of the angled walls?"  Fair question.  I actually made the angled walls after figuring out the exact curve I wanted to ensure everything would fit properly.  The method will work the same either way.  Once you've established your curve, click on Select and Move to make sure it is indeed centered at y=33. 

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It is?  Great!  Let's move on.  Now we're going to click the Modify tab and start playing around to get the proper fit.  Actually, we'll also move it along the x axis to line things up properly too... this is the trial and error part that takes some switching back and forth.

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Now in my case, I knew I wanted this wall to curve no further than 32 meters left of my center line.  (I'm going for an overall lot width of 6 tiles on this building... 32 meters on each side would put me at 4 game tiles wide.  None of this really matters unless you want to know why I did what I did!)  So I moved the arc and changed the radius, by simply typing in larger or smaller numbers as needed) until I had something that looked good to me.  I'm not overly concerned with the "corners" between the angled walls and the curve being a perfect 90 degree corner, but I didn't want it to look ridiculously off either.  This is why simply moving the arc into place may or may not be enough to get the right look.  I went back and forth between changing the radius and moving the arc several times before getting this result.  Now we'll clean up the overhanging bits at either side of the arc.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2F04_ArcClean.jpg&hash=792cdb49f72be96a7e98080e771ae39a02a49684)

In the last picture, you saw the Parameters for an arc include Radius, From, and To along with the two check boxes that we don't need here anyway.  I didn't explain Radius in the last step because, quite frankly, I would hope that anyone following this would know what the radius for an arc is and how to use it!  :D  From: and To: are the incriments in degrees that define the either end of your arc.  If you imagine your arc as a complete circle, then 0 degrees is at 3 o'clock, 90 degrees is at 12 o'clock, 180 degrees is at 9 o'clock, and 270 degrees is at 6 o'clock.  Yes... the whole thing works counter clockwise!!!  All we'll do here is adjust the From: and To: settings until our arc ends somewhere inside the existing walls, preferrably on a workable whole number or at least a decent tenth.  As you can see, I ended up with an arc which begins at 142 degrees inside my existing wall.  We want this to be even on both sides in the future, so do the math to get your other side.  180 degrees (at 9 o'clock which is the center point of this curve) minus 142 equals 38 degrees.  180 + 38 = 218 which is what I filled in for the opposite end.  This will keep things nice and uniform when we actually begin modeling the wall.

So we have our curve looking just the way we want it and have it placed to line up perfectly with everything else it needs to line up with.  How do we change this simple arc into a wall?  The short answer is, "We don't!"  The long answer is that this arc is simply a template because it's the easiest thing to work with.  Now we are going to use what we've figured out and create a Tube for our wall.

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Click on the Create tab, then click the button for Geometry, then the button for Tube.  There are all sorts of things to look at here.  Creation Method simply decides whether your tube will grow from the center of your first mouse click or the outer edge of your first mouse click.  Since we have our centering numbers from the arc template, we want the default setting to draw from center.  Everything else will be important in a moment.  First simply draw a tube in the Top view.  Again there is no need to make it perfect as we'll use the Parameters settings to do get this right.  Obviously mine is nowhere near where it needs to be.  That's what our template was for!  First we need to move the tube to the same settings as our template.  Move the tube to whatever your settins were.  (This example used x=-2.25, y=33.)  Using the Modify tab, we'll bring our settings over that we used for the arc.  Radius 1: will be the outer radius of our tube.  Radius 2: will be the inside radius.  Our arc had a radius of 44 meters, which I chose to use for Radius 2.  The difference between the two numbers should simply be the thickness of your wall.  Height is whatever height you want the finished wall to be.  The next setting is Height Segments which defaults to 5.  For our purposes, there is no need to have multiple segments so I've reset it to 1.  Cap Segments and Sides can be ignored for the moment, although we'll come back to set the number of sides later.  Smooth will be checked as a default which is fine.  Slice On needs to be checked in order for us to establish the end points of our wall.  Check this box and use your numbers from the arc template we set up.

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Wait!!! What the...  Oh, Gmax, your dirty dirty so and so!  For reasons that I will never understand, tubes use a different basis for degree settings than the arc we used earlier.  So now instead of 0 degrees being at 3 o'clock, it's at 12 o'clock!  (Which actually makes more sense to me)  The numbers still go up in a counter clockwise motion (so 90 degrees is now at 9 o'clock) but From and To are reversed compared to the arc as well!  (This actually makes sense even though it constantly feels backwards when I use it.  The arc was being drawn from one degree to the other.  Here we are removing the portions between one degree and the other.)  All this is fixable, just confusing at first.  We know that our center point is on the left hand side at 9 o'clock, which is now 90 degrees.  The arc stretched 38 degrees on either side of this center point.  We simply need to add to and then subtract from 90 to get our new ending points, which are now 52 degrees and 128 degrees.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2F08_TubeFixed.jpg&hash=acf343fde0770f2d873bee3a3bd37917872d4df9)

That looks better!  Notice that the endpoints are simply reversed from the arc settings.  Also notice how perfectly it lines up with the original arc?  That's called success my friends!  :)  We're done with the arc and can delete it.  Now, if you simply want a solid wall, you could slap a UVW map on this tube and call it a day.  Consider your wall finished! 

However, if you want windows, or almost any other details that line up perfectly then we'll have to keep going.  That process will continue in the next post.

JB

If you're reading this post, I must assume that you want to complicate your life even further for the sake of trivial details such as windows, doors, or possibly even stairwells.  Are you crazy?!?  Who needs windows in a curved wall?  Save those for the flat walls and move on!  It would be so much easier.

Actually, that's kind of what we're about to do.  Gmax has boolean functions and some other methods to cut openings through our tube if we wanted to, but I find them difficult to work with and that they tend to distort the textures for some reason.  Since I like to model with splines anyway, this method is just an extension of the same practices.  From this point on, the tube will become our new template and we will be modeling the curved wall in individual flat sections just like any other wall.  The individual sections will then be put into place so that together they form the curved look we're after.

The first thing we need to determine is how many of those individual sections we want.  There are several things to consider when making this decision.  The most important is making it still look good.  The more sections you have, the smoother your curve will look.  However, at the same time, more sections means that each one will also be smaller which could severely limit what you'll be able to do within each section.  Obviously, we need to find a decent balance.  A final thing to consider is the angles required to fit all this together.  This is not as important, but it would be nice to make the math as simple as we can if possible.  We'll get to that in a moment.  First let's have a closer look at our tube template.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2F09_TubeSections.jpg&hash=592a9b055f297a9be26447c1f2169d7ff8f84367)

Select your tube and uncheck the Smooth box.  Looking in the Perspective view will give you a fairly decent idea of how pronounced the "corners" of your curve sections will look when rendered.  Currently, we have the number of Sides set at the default 18.  This means our entire curved wall would be made up of 18 individual sections.  Play around with that number of Sides and find an acceptable number that still looks good.  I decided that 13 sides will fit my needs quite well here, but before we finalize that we should check how much space that gives us to work with in each section.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2F10_SizeTest.jpg&hash=89144c489ffd1b998b32a073e9ba61a314b3d9cd)

In the Left view, snap a rectangle against a single section of your tube.  It can't just be any section though!  To give you an accurate size, you MUST snap your rectangle to the outside vertices (as opposed to those on the inside of the curve which would give you a slightly smaller width) of your tube.  It also MUST be snapped to a section which is perfectly perpendicular to the axis, just like any flat rectangle would be.  Notice in the top view, that I'm snapping to the center section of our tube.  Since we have an odd number of sections, this is the one that will actually be at that 90 degree angle.  Gmax will allow you to snap your rectangle to any of these sections, but it your shape will not follow those angles and it will give you an inaccurate size.  Hopefully, I've explained this well enough because it is quite important now and later when we really start making these wall pieces.  Anyway... once you've drawn the rectangle, you can look at the Width to the right and see what the size will be.  Mine is 4.518 meters wide, which gives me plenty of room for a window or any number of other options.  So I'm happy with that.  If for whatever reason you need different sizes, continue repeating the last two steps until you find a size that works.  Keep in mind that you may have to temporarily rotate your tube, in order to have a section center itself on 90 degrees (or 0, 180, 270, depending on where you're working.)  Once you have a size you like, you can delete the rectangle.  We're not quite done adjusting our tube yet, so we don't need this rectangle for anything beyond testing the size.

The last thing we need to determine from our template is the angle that each of the sections rotates.  We have a curve that stretches from 52 degrees to 128 degrees.  This is a difference of 76 degrees.  Since I have 13 sections, I simply divide 76 by 13, which equals 5.84615 blah blah blah.  This is the angle between each section of our wall.  That's an ugly number!!!  Can we make that something a little more managable?  Certainly!  We could continue playing with the number of Sides to come up with something that goes more evenly into 76.  Or, since our curve actually ends inside the walls on either side, we can shave or add a little to our slices to make a nicer number.  (This option will not always work if, for example, your curve needs to end flush with another structure.)  Grab a calculator and try a few nicer integers near the original ugly number.  5.8 x 13 = 75.4.  Can we get away with shaving our curve down by 0.3 degrees on each side.  Try it, zoom in on the top view, and make sure your curve still meets the walls at each side.  As you would have seen if I hadn't lost the image, it still works out fine.  (Basically, we changed the slice settings to 127.7 and 52.3)  So we'll keep these new settings and work everything off of them.

Now may be a good time to jot down some of these measurements for future reference.  The biggest ones we want to remember are the center point of our tube (x= -2.25, y= 33.0) and the angle for each section (5.8 degrees) as well as the number of sections (13).  These will be important when it comes time to reassemble our curved wall.

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Good grief, Jon!  We've spent all this time messing around with curves and tubes, but we still haven't built anything we can use!  Alright, alright... let's make something then.  Snap a rectangle to your tube exactly the way we did when testing the size a couple steps back.  Remember to use the proper section and be sure that it snaps to the outside of your curve.  Notice that since we adjusted our curve slightly, it also changed the width of each section a little bit.  This is why we didn't simply save our original rectangle from that step.  This new rectangle is now our wall section!  At this point, we don't really need the tube anymore, but I usually save it just to make sure everything lines up properly in the end.  So I'll just hide it for now to keep it out of the way.

At this point, you have everything you need to do almost anything you want in building this curve.  For the sake of discussion, let's just say we want to put a window in the center of each section and have every section look the same as the next.  This would be the simplest thing to do, but it will serve well enough to show the remaining steps.

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I've added my window opening, using those spline modeling methods you hopefully already know.  Then I simply extruded the wall, but it's important to extrude it the right way!  Since we snapped this rectangle to the outside of our curve, we need to extrude towards the inside of the curve or else the edges will not line up.  If you're not sure, unhide your tube and make sure you've gone the right direction.

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I've modeled the window and a sill.  I also added UVW maps to everything at this point.  It's not necessary, but it's easier to do now than later.  Now we're going to select all the pieces that are involved with this wall section and group them together.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2F14_SelectObjects.jpg&hash=fb38251538e34185278e742df3a4aceffdeb8885)

Now comes the biggest "secret" to the whole process.  Pivot Points!  Once I learned how to manipulate these, a whole slew of modeling options opened up.

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Select your new group and find the Hierarchy tab on the right.  The Pivot button should already be selected when you open this tab for the first time.  Then hit the Affect Pivot Only button.  Now, pick the Select and Move button at the top of your screen.  This shows the current pivot point for your group.  We want to change those coordinates to match our templates center point.  (Remember our tube was centered at x= -2.25, y= 33.0)  Retype those numbers at the bottom... notice your piece didn't move.  (The z coordinate is irrelevant here.)

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In theory, any rotating you do should now follow this new pivot point, but Gmax tends to be finicky on this one.  The best way to make sure, is to now push the Select and Rotate button.  Make sure the green and red arrows line up with your new pivot point.  You may have to mouse over your selected view port to make it jump to where it belongs.  I usually switch between the Select and Move and Select and Rotate buttons a time or two just to make sure things stay where they belong.  If the pivot point gets ignored for some reason (which seems to happen a fair amount) you can simply repeat the last two steps to re-orient things.

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Leave the Hierarchy tab.  (I usually just click on the Modify tab to do this.)  Make sure your in the Top view and click on the Array button.  We're going to clone our wall section and rotate the pieces into place all at the same time.  Remember that our angle was 5.8 degrees?  That number goes under the Z axis column in the Rotate row.  We also had a total of 13 sections with 6 on each side of our center section.  Since we have our center section, we need to add six more sections in each direction.  So for the Count we type 7 because the count always includes the selected item as well.  Hit OK and giggle with delight at how well that worked.  ;)

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Now simply select you original section again, open the Array options and change your 5.8 degrees to -5.8 degrees to do the other half of the curve.

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Curved wall finished!  You can unhide your original tube if you want to double check and be sure things lined up.  But there you have it.

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Have fun,
JB

Thank you! It's a very usefull tutorial, and believe me that I'll use it for a little suburbs house :thumbsup: Which has windows in a curved wall :D
I wait for some more images of your arena :thumbsup: I hope they'll arrive soon :)

Guillaume :thumbsup:

XiahouDun:  Thank you!

Zach:  Not to be argumentative (think of it more as devil's advocate :D ) but wouldn't most overviews, aside from mosaics, be zoomed out further?  I'm not entirely sure about the "technical" differences between the two.  From what I've seen, field houses tend to be older athletic facilities built between the 1910's - 30's or so.  Glad you like the arena so far!

Guillaume:  Thanks!  Glad the tutorial helped as well.  ;)

Aaron:  Thank you!  Finished?!?  I shudder to think...  :o

Jdenm:  Thanks!  Yes, the cream colors will be a sort of off white similar to the DeBussy and Swan buildings.

Jack:  Thank you!  Things are going well here... sorry to hear you've been under the weather.  And dealing with it too!  :D  I don't really want to make the tile mosaic much larger or I feel it would look too crammed in.  I haven't completely picked a name for the arena just yet.

Raymie:  Actually, according to what I've found, the actual University of Kentucky Memorial Coliseum opened in 1950.  ;)  It was heavily rennovated in the early 90's, but I'm not sure how much the exterior may have been changed.

Just a quick picture today...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_Preview03.jpg&hash=8604d3c03799d1157a3eb80cfb1e9302ed682e9c)

Not a whole lot to say about it right now.  Still piecing things together and figuring out the lower sections of the building.  The small "rooms" flanking the main entry are meant to be ticket sales windows.  Beyond that, it's coming along... ;)

JB

That arena is shaping up very nicely, can't wait to get ahold of this stuff and complete a big, fat anchor university in one of my cities.

JB, I like to argue, but I don't think this is a time or place to do so? Besides, it's not really something to argue over. Devils advocate wins. Where are you thinking of going with the new addition on the left side? It looks as if the new part will have a roof that awkwardly covers up part of the building's windows. Have you looked at Memorial Colosseum at UK? Your building reminds me of it a lot. Looking forward to seeing more.

Quick but wonderful picture! &apls I really like the details you make on your BATs, they render them more beautiful, and with the textures, the rendering is excellent... I'm really impatient to see the final and IG! ()stsfd() I could be a really goo beta tester for this :D (I say it, I say nothing ::))

Guillaume :thumbsup:

...liking the progress JB  :)

keeping the mosaic the size it is is also ok; as I was thinking aloud...  &Thk/(  ???

The tutorials are a bonus, extensive and over-all clear e-z to follow... :thumbsup: I will be applying much of what you taught on my projects too...

Jack  :satisfied:

Utvaw:  Thanks!

Zach:  Awww... we have to stop arguing?  I was just getting into it!   :D  You'll see very soon what my plans were and no windows were harmed in the making of this update.  I have looked at the Memorial Coliseum... quite often in fact.  ;)

Quote from: JBSimio on April 02, 2011, 05:41:18 PM
...according to what I've found, the actual University of Kentucky Memorial Coliseum opened in 1950.  ;)  It was heavily rennovated in the early 90's, but I'm not sure how much the exterior may have been changed.

Guillaume:  Thank you!  Things are coming together quicker than I thought, so hopefully your wait won't be too much longer.  ;)

Jack:  Thanks!  Glad you also found the tutorials helpful.

A couple more progress pictures...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_South04.jpg&hash=971d48eed6e8e7a4ec38f6e05e3207d09a4a5a3c)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_West04.jpg&hash=86cd627dc1405fb4b9960d728e051bd9098b120a)

I'm basically down to the back now.  I'm not entirely sure what I'll be doing with it just yet, but I'm sure something will come to me sooner or later.  I think I originally said this would be 6x6... but the lot is actually going to be closer to 7x7 now.  Still not too bad for something like this, though.

JB

its design sense is coming together... liking it alot  :thumbsup:

I hope it won't be more long as... 1 day I waited to the two last pics! $%Grinno$%
This last pic is just unbelievable! &apls &apls

Guillaume

Keep it up!!!! Two thumps for this.  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

Great Progress
How does it look in-game?
I'm very curious about whta your going to build next...

Jack:  Thank you!

Guillaume:  Thanks!  I saw your messages and will respond to those soon.

Aaron:  Thank you!

Peter:  Thanks!  I have no idea what it looks like in game just yet... probably rather cartoon like at this point though.  :D

I've really only had time for a few short sessions this week, but I think I finally got the back sewn up.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_North05.jpg&hash=7faca2a41f0c92e2543e8cbd0757e108ae6f90f5)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_East05.jpg&hash=9fa278629b1e74d3b89f038b844a73438abb6c57)

I'm not entirely sure if I like the left hand side of the first image just yet.  I may be changing a few things there, but we'll see.  I'm pretty happy with the rest of it.  Now to figure out the final details like roof junk and such.

Until then,
JB

Hey JB,

The back shows a good design intent, however I can't quit tell what the elevation differences are with approach apron ramp to service door  %confuso and the stepping up to entry and how it relates... but the the second picture seems to clear up the elevation question but then I look again...  ??? does the service door approach apron slope down or is level with grade  ()what()

But over all it looks good...  :thumbsup: particularly the use and choice of green railings -if the green color works for the finished look

dropping to give another look see, the next progress report might clear up an issue... 

weather report:  Spring is working hard at having 'sprung' but, the state had 14 tornadoes to deal with Sunday evening... with one having gone over head, it was an amazing thing to hear it going over, know its there and can't see it and the rains are doing the spin-around dance... rather hairy there for awhile... then for all the damage in the state there aren't any reports of deaths or serious injuries in NEWi... THEN it snowed over 8" a few days later, But Easter was a good spring day -finally, but now its a rainy day (TU) of April showers for May flowers

trust all is well with you

Jack

Ok for the messages :)
Waow! Enormous arena :o &apls

Guillaume :thumbsup:

This is amazing! Great work!  &apls &apls &apls
I'm looking forward to textures and other addditions. I frequent the Lex to look for updates, new buildings, and signs of EP1  ;D

Have you given thought to other Clayhurst additions like a swim arena, outdoor stadium, etc?
Yale has a great outdoor stadium called Yale Bowl... and Brown has thei massive stadium built into the hillside in Providence.

Great Great Great.

Stunning building. How big is it? 4x4?

Awesome project!  &apls

Each post the building looks better, just can't wait for the textures. After this building what is next to go with the university, I asked beacause this is a big project and maybe the biggest project you ever had. :D Keep it up. &apls

Jack:  Thanks!  The grade change for that central loading area is a bit hard to see in the previous pictures, but I think it should be cleared up now.  The apron does in fact slope down to the door which is meant to be level with the arena's main floor.  (I was thinking it could serve as a direct route for concerts, conventions or trade shows?  Something along those lines)

Guillaume:  Thank you!  Sorry to leave your message languishing... things have been rather busy again here.   ::)

Sumatra:  Thanks!  I have definite plans for an outdoor stadium, yes.  I hadn't really considered a swim arena, although the Student Center (in the starter pack) does have a pool inside it.

Peter:  Thank you!  The building itself is roughly 5.5x6 and the lot should be about 7 x 7... I hope!

Simcitler:  Thanks!

Aaron:  Thank you!  I'm not sure what will come next.  I have a definite list for this pack, but I'm not sure which one I'll feel like (or have time for) working on next.  ;)

Things continue to stay quite busy at camp these days.  I've been picking away at this for a while, but I never have much time for a good long sit down with it.  But I finally got things to the point where another update is in order!  Here are the textures... 

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_South06.jpg&hash=bba5c274987e32351e5eaa8b8ad61444745cee45)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_West06.jpg&hash=b2344f36bae8537a48a6e65157b7cdbc52e5165f)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_North06.jpg&hash=83a0ddc846236fec42d40991c334b2ef2a59683a)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_East06.jpg&hash=6f633a5c4049687561b40ccfab5b0d6893608f18)

I'm pretty happy with how everything came out.  There are one or two minor tweaks to be done here and there, but nothing major.  The lighting should be fairly simple for this one, but it may still take a while just because of time constraints.

Until then,
JB

Hi JB,

Its good to hear from you and another teaser of an update... The progress is great, texture choice and colors are good as is the roof junk...  :thumbsup: its really neat, I like the entry best... the yellow utility warning on the upper-rear is a good touch, also like the color of the railings and roof access ladders... I'd be hard pressed between this and the field house... its approaching the well done threshold... what kinda light are you shooting for? dramatic, utilitarian, or lit up for a sport event...  :-\

Trust all is well with you;  in spite of the pick up in business...  :D  ::)

also wondering, will the signs tha you made earlier be included in the athletic pack or separately in a 'miscellaneous grounds stuff' type pack  ()what()

later

jack

 :o It. Looks. Amazing!

May I ask for one thing? Can the building be at a 45 degree angle? To add some variation to the buildings and all. If not, I'll be fine anyway. I'm super excited to get this one!

Don't worry, I understand you're busy :P Everyday I open SC4D, hopping you answered me :D
This arena is just fantastic, you do a great job! &apls &apls

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Keep it going!  After all, sports is a key element of the university experience.  I hope this is an arena that is conducive to good wins for the Clayhurst teams.  It looks like a winner to me, at least.

:thumbsup:

Great teaser.
Those stairs are pretty made. Never seen them here on sc4D.

-Ernst

This is coming along very nicely. Great work JB!  :)

Jack:  Thank you!  The color scheme is almost becoming a standard for all the University buildings at this point.  The brick is always the same with only minor variations... usually meant to show age.  The other textures change from building to building, but I tend to keep them all within similar "parameters" for lack of a better word.  My plan is to do lighting as an "event in progress."  The lowest windows are offices, training rooms, etc... so those will be the only ones that may or may not be lit up.  Nearly every other window will be.  The signs and bell towers will be part of EP2, yes.

Zach:  Thanks!  Back to your question in a moment... ;)

Guillaume:  Thank you!

Metarvo:  Thanks!  I'm glad you like it.

Ernst:  Thank you!

TiFlo:  Thanks!

This isn't really an update... more of a comparrison to garner public opinion.  :D  I did make the necessary texture tweaks, but I haven't had a chance to start lighting just yet.  In the meantime, Zach asked about having the building on a 45 degree angle.  To be honest, way back when I first started planning the three athletic facilities, it was always my plan that this would be the one to do just that.  However, I also had a VERY different arena style in mind at that time.  Initially, I read the comment and thought,  "It would have worked with the original idea, but I'm not so sure anymore."  Then I thought about it some more through out the day... fortunately my mind has a dual core processor so I didn't burn any children's food while doing this... and decided to give it a second look.  Here is how the building would look rotated on said 45 degree angle.  (The views follow the same order as the previous update, for ease in comparing)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_South07.jpg&hash=e182b5d351c59d5f163a3d805ae839a640b59894)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_West07.jpg&hash=771cc498064d7b97ce9b3f72270f4e3f8ec50679)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_North07.jpg&hash=28ec28b0c82e9afa40aabd6b5e419be51ca473d6)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_East07.jpg&hash=e3661b4f10345f0212000b93335d97e3e5fdae0c)

There are a few things that look better in the original orientation, but in many ways I think I almost like the look of things better this way.  There are several things which also seem to show up much better in this version.  The major drawback in going this route would be the lot itself.  Because of the odd shape of this building, rotating it like this actually makes it a tighter fit on the lot in some rather key areas.  I won't know until I actually export the building for good, but this version may wind up requiring a larger (8x8 perhaps) lot compared to the old version.

So there's the pros and cons that I've seen.  Now let the voting and feedback begin!  Please don't ask for both... I won't completely rule that out, but I'd much rather pick one or the other!  ;)  Which would you, the good people, prefer?

JB

Edit:  Darn it!  I just knew the page was going to change with this post!  Sorry for the extra work involved to compare now... :D

I support the 45° angle.  If there's one thing this game needs, it's more diagonal buildings for improved variety, particularly if the other sports buildings are going to be orthogonal.  The bigger lot, if one is needed, would give you more room to provide details if desired.

QuotePlease don't ask for both

Oh :D

I agree with Metarvo that the more 45 degree buildings the better.  However, my feeling is that athletic buildings are generally orthogonal with respect to the playing fields.  Since our field textures/models are all with the grid, then the athletic building should be too.

So, make all of the other buildings at a 45 degree.  :D   

WONDERFUL &apls &apls, my little "arena" is not as beautiful as yours! :D But I must say that's not the same tall too $%Grinno$%

Guillaume &apls

I like the front of the building in the original more, but the rest of the building tends to 'pop' more at the angle. A minor suggestion, ignoring what you asked me not to do, is that you only lot one of the two and leave the other as a prop for people to lot as they please. In either case I'm voting for 45 degrees since it was my request to begin with.  :)

Hey JB

Trust all is well with you in the sunny CA as its rainy spring day here in WI...

Ortho:  I like this option best. It shows the front and work into the overall campus better, particularly if one wants to make work with athletic fields/ facilities

Angled: I like that it shows off the back and its details better, and that a few details from the right side also seem to 'pop' more and that it lends to an overall more dramatic appearance... but the lot size comes into question and then situating to work with other athletic facilities however being a larger lot, it can be afford for lot creativity ie parking, service access drives, versus a simply ortho lot...

perhaps something else could be made at an angle to break up an overly ortho campus... and so their is my two cents worth of thought

Jack

Looks great, I'm loving the textures and roof junk. Keep it up!!!!!  &apls

Man I am really torn between the two.  The ortho view looks like the front will be gorgeous, especially lit up, but that angled view is a nice variation and shows off some of the little details.

I guess if i HAVE to choose, I'll pick angled.

Maybe a beautiful Auditorium in the future can make up for the loss of the front-on view.  ;)

I'd say go with the angled one. It's relatively rare to see a building set like that in the game, and if you're going to show one off like that, I think this would be the one to do it. It's somewhat rounded shape lends itself well to being angled on a square lot I think, and with a facility like this, I think people would need to leave space anyway, so the extra lot size shouldn't be a problem. Nice work on this one Jon.
-Matt

Both are worthy in their own merits. I like how the entrance is brighter in the ortho model, but the details do pop out a little more in the diagonal.

Metarvo:  Thank you for your input!

Carl:  Thanks!  I understand the need to integrate practice fields, but I also feel that it wouldn't make a whole lot of (or at least as much of a) difference for this particular building.  First, it's an indoor arena... second, the lot would have to convert all paths, etc. back to the ortho orientation anyway (especially in the modular setting).

Guillaume:  Thank you!

Zach:  Thanks for your thoughts!  Providing both models is the main reason for me hoping to avoid doing two versions.  The model files are always the largest piece of the "custom content puzzle"... and it also takes a long time to generate them.  If I'm going to make the extra effort to export both versions, then I might as well make both lots too... which wouldn't take that much extra time.  ;)

Jack:  Thank you for your input as well!  Things are busy but getting ever warmer here.  Spring has arrived and the ground is finally drying out beneath the dense cover of redwoods.  :)

Aaron:  Thanks!

Utvaw:  Thank you!  The ortho version of the front is actually one of the views I liked least!  :D  The extreme difference in shadow on the slightly angled walls really bothers me and seems much better in the angled version.  An auditorium/performing arts building is in the plan and I think you would be quite happy with the front of that one.  ;)

Matt:  Thank you for your thoughts!  I particularly agree with what you said about the rounded shape making this a prime candidate.

Allan:  Thank you!  (and welcome back)

Nothing new on the arena yet.  I haven't made a firm decision on the angle yet and probably won't until the lighting is done.  In the meantime, I appreciate all the thoughts and input very much.  Thank you!

Switching gears for just a moment... I decided to export and lot the two bell towers.  The gothic version was extremely easy to lot as it sits on a 1x1 lot!  :D  (I did make a slight adjustment to the lighting of it, by the way)  The smaller bell tower is probably not finished yet.  First the pictures and then the reasons I'm not sure about that one just yet.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FBellTowers_LotDay01.jpg&hash=dba4cf20f9fa2b2674ccec9e19a7fb421b62b457)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FBellTowers_LotNight01.jpg&hash=5082671d0e16e5db95d5be5dbad7d8cbd300603b)

I'd much rather have lower ground covering flowers between the circular path and the tower itself, but I haven't found a combination I really like just yet.  The other option would be to have the entire area "paved" with out any plantings against the tower's base.  I tried that first, but didn't really like it much.  So I'll keep tinkering with the landscaping to see if I can come up with a better alternative.  This mainly just demonstrates where I'm going with things.  On second (or is this the third?) thought... I could also simply do away with the idea of connecting the four main paths all together.  Since the base of the tower does provide a means to "cross through" the area anyway, those extra wrap around walkways might be an unnecessary headache.  Hmmm...   :-\

I also tried the gothic tower out on my own university campus in Covington just to compare with everything else.  Here's a bonus look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGothicTower_LotDay01.jpg&hash=5f647d8b4cf5a4ac6ba66b4f118b5ebc14d0a25c)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FGothicTower_LotNight01.jpg&hash=15b1de84233e5e19f0247134ba8bc776b2ac5649)

I forgot to snap a far zoom shot, but the lighting really stands out at a distance... makes for a nice effect I think.  ;)

More in the (hopefully) not too distant future,
JB

Lovely night lights. The bell tower look amazion!!!!!  :thumbsup:

JB. I understand where you're coming from. For me, lotting takes the most amount of time. Either way I will be pleased. The two towers look great. As for lotting the smaller one. I would say make the entire area around the base pavement. If that were on my campus, I would avoid walking up those stairs, lol. If you choose to make the arena ortho, purhaps some future dorms or academic buildings could be angled instead. At any rate. I await to see what you come up with next.

I can hear the bells playing out dreary music on midterm or finals day just by looking at the pictures.  The nightlighting on the gothic tower stands out beautifully.

Hello JB,

luv the updates concerning the bell  towers...  :thumbsup: 

The Gothic tower is very good, the tweaked lightening gave it some subtlety that lends towards a  plot location for a story...

Concerning the "Bell Tower Square"... after some consideration I think that the 'ring' walk needs a different config of either square or 45 angle then the inside space between the 'ring' walk and bell tower deck wall would be the flower gardens...

my reasoning is the tower and the base and its deck walls are all square, trying to place a round ring around it -being a tight space for such arcs, although would work ok-good in RL but in Sim-life square or angled will compliment the structure better lending to a pleasing effect of repeated geometry at differing elevations... I'm I making sense or is it getting muddy; notions for consideration anyway... its a great tower that lends to a landmark meeting place on campus

Jack

Great lights.
It looks very realistic.
I'm curious about what you're gonna do next.

-Ernst

I really like the notion of removing the circular connecting paths around the larger tower lot.

@Jgehrts:  That may be a good idea.  I for one would not walk up those steps just to walk down them again though.  I feel like this building wouldn't be in the center of things, more like at the end of a path at the top of a hill, but now we are way too far into my opinions :)

Quote from: JBSimio on May 09, 2011, 03:41:15 PM
Carl:  Thanks!  I understand the need to integrate practice fields, but I also feel that it wouldn't make a whole lot of (or at least as much of a) difference for this particular building.  First, it's an indoor arena... second, the lot would have to convert all paths, etc. back to the ortho orientation anyway (especially in the modular setting).

Good point.  Hmm.

Quote
I'd much rather have lower ground covering flowers between the circular path and the tower itself, but I haven't found a combination I really like just yet.

Are you still taking ideas?  I think SG vol 01 has some curved hedges, but I know there are some in the dependencies for a cp tree controller.  This little park I made has them (Link (http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7217/94681842.jpg), around the gazebo in the upper left) and they look about the right size.  Perhaps some larger bushes could fill in the corners?

Be well.

Aaron:  Thank you!

Zach:  Thanks!  I've made all sorts of adjustments to the shorter bell tower's lot... you might have to climb a couple steps, but hopefully you'll like the result anyway.  ;)

Metarvo:  Thank you!

Jack:  Thanks!  I agree with your opinion about squaring off the "ring path" which made perfect sense to me once you brought it up.  I tried it, but still didn't have much luck getting something I liked.  I think I finally managed to get a nice balance in the end though.

Ernst:  Thank you!

Jgehrts:  Thanks!  That's what I ultimately ended up doing.  ;)

Carl:  Thank you for your suggestions... which I am certainly always open to.  When lotting all these campus pieces, I try to stick to only the prop packs listed in the top stickied post.  Your suggestions were included there, but I wound up going a slightly different route.

Not a whole lot of time today... in fact I have to go back to work and make dinner here very soon.  I played around quite a bit more with the shorter bell tower and I think I finally came up with something I like.  It's a bit more of a "formal" landscape job than most of the campus lots have been, but I think it fits the tower quite nicely.  Of course, in the end, your opinions mean just as much as (if not more than) mine!  So here's the latest...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FBellTower_LotDay02.jpg&hash=a577a937a91c49fa1705fbd697352d937a360cf8)

In other news, I also exported the Field House the other night.  I've gotten a start on that lot, although there is still plenty to do before that one will be done.  Here are all four sides for a little sneak peek:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_LotSouth01.jpg&hash=93c2ae109966c7233ee90558bc372b223a9bf5a0)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_LotWest01.jpg&hash=a3ba1ab4bcddee9bb1d00a019d342ba3b16caced)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_LotNorth01.jpg&hash=44f16a92d293c51c1c49005894ecf60be017cc29)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_LotEast01.jpg&hash=5357910de8ff0ac78803e4f128b402bca41cfdb0)

I will be paving that entire grassy "median" in the back where the trucks are parked, but I have to make a couple textures for that.  I also need to make a better transition between the paved area and the brick path on the east side... or just find a way to hide it.   $%Grinno$%  The one thing worth mentioning is that the path leading to those triple entry doors on the west side is NOT one of the two sizes used in the normal campus system.  It is however the same width as the BSC Parks "wide path."  There may be a little need for adjustments there, or I could simply make a piece that transitions between the two widths to better fit the other campus puzzle pieces.  We'll see how that goes.  (Or you could just always put that side against the street like I did here)   :D

Back to the kitchen I go...  see you next time!
JB

Hello JB...

Like the updates  :thumbsup:

Concerning the bell tower, its the sort of 'meet me spot' that me and Cathy would meet to go wherever... I think you found a reasonable solution to the 'ring walk'... personally I think it appeared to conflict geometrically due to the SC4 game limits and viewpoint... so the flower planters and hedges with the 45 angle make a better transition and approach to the tower deck... the game makes for views from a bird's eye, while I look at it student eye level and imagine it as I approach it... I like it over all  ;)

Concerning the CU-Field house... no real issues, you have it in mind what to do with the rear service area... as well as the walk transitions... I think its a good to go lotting as its simple, utilitarian, and effectively grounds the structure as well...  :satisfied:

Jack

The triangular flower gardens are a great decision. I can see that, if this were in a real situation without such gardens, there would be "cow paths" cutting across the grass. The flower gardens take care of that nicely.

Wow. It's been a while since the last post. Is this even still in development?

I'm lovin' it. So nothing else to say. :)

The nightlighting on that older bell tower is fantastic, makes a gorgeous landmark in the night skyline.  I like your lotting on the shorter tower too, as Jack said it makes it act as a great landmark for people to meet up, hang out, etc.

As for the field house, it looks great.  The transition could be solved by a walkway that goes out.  I envision this building near a football field or the like, so an access from the field house to the field would make much sense. And with the path out on the other side it would allow for more rotations and placements in regards to a field or other campus structures.

I love the Gothic tower, and I like the setting of the smaller tower in the second pic.  With it being at the intersection (without the rounded pieces) it actually looks taller, I think.  It draws height from the straight lines in front and behind, whereas with the first version, your eye was drawn to the rounded pieces and so, compared with a larger-looking base, it didn't look as tall.

Great work on both of them!


And the Field House looks great too!  Have you thought about making a larger parking lot for it, or just sticking with the modular approach for parking?

Once again, keep it up, keep it up, I have to say your doing a perfect job. :thumbsup:

Jack:  Thank you!  I definitely feel that the new bell tower lot is more appropriate... especially as a campus gathering or "show piece."

Jgehrts:  Thanks!  Good point about the inevitable dirt tracks.  ;)

PlaneCrash:  Ummm... there was an update 4 hours before your post.  I think it's still in development.   ::)

Zach:  Thank you!

Utvaw:  Thanks!  I did add a walkway going out, as you'll see.  It didn't completely solve the problem, but I think I came up with something that does.

CabraBuitre:  Thank you!  I plan to leave most parking as a modular approach so everyone can set things up their own way, especially with these athletic facilities.

Aaron:  Thanks!

A couple things to look at today... so let's have at it!  First, a couple small fixes on the Field House lot:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FFieldHouse_LotEast02.jpg&hash=d29895d70bc78f8ff2a0a335c72c588932accb95)

You can see the new paving textures for the rear utility area... also the fix for the east side.  I also added a transition on the opposite side so that other "main" entry will work with the standard campus wide paths.  There are still a few props to add and/or make... most important being the "event sign" out front.  In the meantime, I had a couple thoughts, but would like some input before deciding for sure.  I feel like there should be some "employee parking" here somewhere, and I was thinking that points A and/or B would be the best place.  But would this get in the way of trucks coming and going?  So question one is:  Parking (building side of the driveway only) at point A, B, or Neither?  Second question is merely asthetic.  I chose the narrow path at point C simply because I figured that was a very secondary approach to the building... but a wide path there would also line up with the edge immediately above the letter C and make things even which might look better.  So question two:  Narrow path (as seen here) or wide path?

Moving on... I have most of the lighting done for the Memorial Coliseum (which I've now officially named it)  :D  There are a couple things to touch up, but not too much.  The most glaring spot (pun certainly intended) is the light over the central below grade loading area.  I'll fix that for sure along with a couple other minor tweaks.  With that in mind, here are all four sides... ortho first followed by diagonal for each view.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_SouthNite08.jpg&hash=fa851c87df91d75c0a17bd165faa858b26c4e946)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_SouthNite09.jpg&hash=8369b81d03c8b9488b2cc2ac15ca5491574e3229)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_WestNite08.jpg&hash=796ae6c049445380dd15eed1a46757234b7812f0)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_WestNite09.jpg&hash=faa5193297e900bc70e038f3d360f978eb894ea6)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_NorthNite08.jpg&hash=2267a57367e81e688d2b54867572de92ee550c20)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_NorthNite09.jpg&hash=13bb7bb6f3a53e8d6abd20d51135783584b1b9aa)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_EastNite08.jpg&hash=482ae0519f87550c252b48fec3d8a512a4c39a65)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FArena_EastNite09.jpg&hash=9614662913cd72063192458a3f8ea36b8b08bfeb)

I should mention that the red lights show up just as well as the green over the loading doors... just jpeg compression killed them in these shots.  But now with the lighting in place, I'm more comfortable with leaning towards the diagonal idea.  How does everyone else feel?

Your thoughts are next...
JB

Hello JB

Another great update! I trust that life in the sunny CA is well and good as its spring here finally, but the frost last and tonight would make one wonder when it will really BE spring... my green thumb is itching to plant my gardens  :D

Concerning modular parking lots and kits -in addition to what JB has already made, I recommend all the lot series made by "Hoo-Ha", they sit well with in the whole Clayhurst Campus

Fieldhouse:
Concerning the employee parking: I recommend in the area of 'A' BUT up to and along the wall; not out and away, and in the way of service vehicles
Concerning the side entry: agree as an emergency or service a 'less use' exit/ entry, I prefer the the narrow walk, it shows use priority

Coliseum:
Concerning the arena:  the name 'Memorial Coliseum' is agreeable, and would be a fitting place for remembering Clayhurst students who gave the most in the service of National Sim Military... if indeed that is the intent by the term 'memorial'

Concerning the lighting: The light appears 'greenish glowy' on my computer... the glow maybe ok for all the indirect light shining thru the windows but the color appears off or 'unreal' or something... perhaps a warmer look... maybe their using sodium lights for the main hall and it appears brighter... but whatever, I maybe seeing things too; I'm sure you got figured out

Concerning the orientation: previous voting leaned in favor of an angled lotting, reconsidered my previous vote, thinking it ought to work good, particularly since its rounded sides...

"$Deal"$  so much for that...  ;)

Jack

Things are looking good there!  :thumbsup:

For the field house, I think B would work best for employee parking.  It's further away from the truck area.  The narrow path at C looks good as it is, so I say leave it.

For Memorial Coliseum, I'm going to once again vote for the diagonal, especially with the lighting added.  It seems as though the lights show up better on the diagonal.  Needless to say, it breaks up the monotony of SC4's grid a little, too.

JB. Love the name for the new building, where ever did you come up with such a name? lol

My first thoughts concerning this building, as I have walked past it everyday for the past two years and I have been inside of it many times, it seems a little dull at night, and I'm not sure why. It's just not popping to me. My first suggestion, the windows, the small rectangle ones, that go up the slope in the front on either side of the entrance, those are windows on the main ramps to the concourse level and the seats, those windows should be lite up if the rest of the building is. My second thing, maybe the front entrance could be a touch brighter? Just a thought.

To the field house we go. I'm not feeling parking back there. You could leave that up to the players to just add a parking lot next to the building if they wanted parking near it. Or they could just add a few prop cars to the back of the building if they felt so inclined to do so. What are you feeling the capacity of the field house to be? That will sway my opinion on the path to be used at "C".

I am speechless  :o  :o  :o 
Love your Project &bis&

Jack:  Thank you for your thoughts!  Sunny CA hasn't been all that sunny lately... the rainy season seems very reluctant to end.  It should have done by now... but what can you do?   ::)

Metarvo:  Thanks!  I appreciate your votes as well.

Zach:  Thank you!  All the lighting was an initial "first pass."  Most everything has been fine tuned since then, not to worry.  ;)

TS007:  Thanks!

Been a bit busy here with the Outdoor Education season winding down.  I now find myself with a slight "break" (for lack of a better word) for the next week.   :o

Anyway, switching gears for a moment:  You may recall that I mentioned making some pedestrian overpasses to go along with all the other "small stuff" in EP2.  Well, I thought I'd give that a go today and see what happened.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FOverpass01.jpg&hash=1a51c33da936ea912ac27a3bdb27e0795f83c1dd)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FOverpass02.jpg&hash=370de0c0a540b4a098ffd849e994f6057eeb44c3)

You may or may not be able to tell from the pictures, but these are designed to work kind of the same way the NAM on slope pieces do.  You plop the lot on the slope after your last path piece.  The similarities end there, though.  Rather than having a slope piece for each side and center pieces for all sorts of various options, the whole thing overhangs to the other side so you can put whatever you want to underneath.  Just plop a plain grass lot on the opposite side for the look I made here.  As you can see, they're tolerant of different slopes up to about 20 meters deep (give or take) which would still a bit deeper than the first picture.  I'll make at least four of these altogether.  There will be two lengths for one tile or two tile spans (which really means 3 or 4 tiles from end to end) and two widths to match the campus narrow or wide paths.  My biggest debate right now is whether to make them all the same style, or have different ones.  I can see the desire for conformity regardless of the size, but I can also see wanting some different looks.  So I may end up with two or three sets of four... I don't know yet.

More to come,
JB

Hey JB,

Good to hear from you and its a surprising update.  Like the bridge concepts and placement flexibility...  :thumbsup: looks ok-good for now  ;) ::)

Any progress on the modding of EP1?

Really good and usefull. But have you forgotten me (in the private messages)? $%Grinno$%

Guillaume :thumbsup:

 Wow.....my mind is spinning now.  That walking over pass is perfect.  I hope you will make three or four sets of four, each set having a different texture.  And if I may suggest an old grey brick style, maybe similiar to jeronij's wall set. ::)
Just out of cuiousity, does the start and the end of the bridge slightly over hang to the next tile and would it be too much to ask for an offset to one side style?  Do the lights on the bridge work?
Love it all !! and just you wait and see how my uni. is turning out.  ;)

Robin  &apls

Great overpasses.
Could you make it transparant base textures?
Maybe it will look a bit better than.

-Ernst

Jack:  Thanks!  OK-good will have to do for now...  :D

Tracker:  If there was something to tell about EP1, I would have mentioned it... trust me.  ;)

Guillaume:  Thank you!  Ummm... I kind of did forget, I'm sorry!   &ops

Robin:  Thanks!  The more I've thought about it, I'm certainly leaning towards the "larger range" of options for these.  Could you post a shot of the wall set you have in mind?  I can think of several that might fit that description.  Currently, either end of the bridge does not hang over to the next tile.  The main reason for this being to have it line up to the proper height.  My method uses the highest point of the "banked" tile to determine the height of the walking deck which will always be at the very edge of that tile.  If the path tile leading to that were sloped and I hung over into it, then the bridge would probably not line up right.  I've never done an offset into a completely different tile, but I'm sure I could figure it out.  But, out of curiosity, why?  Yes... the lights work.  I'd love to see your take on the university!  :)

Ernst:  Thank you!  I could make it without base textures at all, yes.  Actually, one side doesn't have a texture anyway unless you add it (as I did).  I only used the grass because it's the same as other university lots.  There are a couple other things I want to test for that issue anyway.  For example... would the "under bridge" piece of various sea wall sets cover my texture up without looking bad?  At the same time, I could be opening a very large can of worms if I start trying to predict every possible situation here.  It takes the work of 2 seconds to change to the base texture of your choice in the lot editor of your choice anyway.  ;)

Nothing new to show just now.  I have a short meeting to go to this morning (always a nice way to ruin time off!) but then I plan on working on some more of these.  They go together pretty quick, especially now that I have a basic template to work from.  I just saw the response was a little larger than I expected for such a small thing... and I wanted to get some answers posted right away.  I also figured this might prompt a little more discussion while I'm gone so I have a better feel of which directions to take this when I do get back.  :D

More this afternoon (afternoon as defined by my particular time zone, of course)

JB

I go one day without checking this and I miss two post by you, not cool, not cool, lol. I don't worry about much. I'm sure it will be amazing no matter what. Once again, I'll ask for something cool. Can the ped bridges be diagonal too???? I like diagonal stuff, lol. They look great btw.

Zach:  Thanks!  I have my doubts on diagonal overpasses right now.  I'm not ruling the idea out just yet... but we don't currently have diagonal campus paths anyway.  I've been toying with that option, but not very much just yet.  Time will tell... ;)

OK... yesterday afternoon didn't happen for various reasons.  I had a bit of trouble figuring out the "best" way to export these.  Different options gave me different results and I had to play with all the choices before I knew for sure what would really give me the best results.  There are still a couple glitches here and there that the perfectionist in me doesn't like, but I think those are minor enough that we can push forward.  Here's a look at what I've got so far:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FBridge_Preview02.jpg&hash=01c685e53b3d07e3359d8be44fca13c9c27feb44)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FBridge_Preview03.jpg&hash=0fee51e8e263c3379abfef57b6f4338101b1da0c)

These are all still 3 tile overpasses... I haven't done the longer ones yet.  The first image shows the updated brick arch, narrow and wide, with lighting as well.  (I had to tweak the brick textures a bit since the first glimpse.)  The narrow night view is actually the white arched overpass in the next image, but those two bridges share the exact same lighting scheme anyway.  The second image shows the white arched overpass with an extra rotation to better show what the end looks like without a texture on the ground.  (All these pictures have a texture on one bank and not the other)  Finally, there is also a narrow version of the more modern looking "suspension" overpass.  I don't have the wide version of that one done just yet.

Comment away... cast your thoughts on the base texture or no idea... or your thoughts on anything else you see for that matter!  ;)

That's about it for now,
JB

Very nice idea for these overpasses :thumbsup: And the more diversity we have, the better off we are $%Grinno$%

Good job JBSimio, but why not putting the red brick texture on the bridge too  ;)

These bridges looks really nice. On the first brigde I think the bricks should be bigger, now it is difficult to say from what material bridge is made. The last bridge remind me an old brodge from NY Central Park :)
You did great job with fitting these bridges to the game, I still can't do that with my Central Park bridges :(

Excellent, keep it up! &apls &apls And I still wait for an answer... don't forget this time $%Grinno$% :D

Guillaume :thumbsup:

No idea where you draw your inspiration from... but it never fails. I was a little skeptical about extra bridge designs, but wow. Those look really sharp.

I love that last bridge. It has a "modern design" flair that the others don't and that this set needs so dearly. (Though I am sure EP1 has a bunch of that type of stuff.)

Nice set of small bridges, they could fit in any park, these are always useful. I agree with seraf on what he said on the brick textures, either make it bigger or increase the contrast between bricks and mortar and maybe slight diffrence in color between bricks. About the Memorial Coliseum I really like the angled positioning and on the curved walls I would use smoothing groups to make it look really curved, this is of course only if your'e going after the curved look rather than what it looks like now.

Hey JB...

Like the bridge a lot  :thumbsup: the design variations are neat, unique, flexible... as for the base question I'd keep it the grass you have it or a 'clear' base texture to be what it is, where its placed...

I like the solid arch, and the thru arch look for the texture possibilities using a stone (field or limestone look) and/ or Clayhurst brick

then the suspended arch is a neat notion and the railings give it a neat look too... I'd play with colors for this one...

my notions are that a 'post-n-beam' bridge is missing from this set and that it would use railings on its deck... like the deck concrete color/texture so I'd keep that for all the  bridges... also like the lighting notions of alternate lamps on narrow decks and opposite in wide decks... then the use of stone for a older solid arch bridge using an older lamp style on it... am I being clear or getting muddy  %wrd

the potential for differing style and design is really varied and your the one that will have to weed trough all the possibilities... but anyway, be watching what you'll come up with for this bridge set -four types  ()what() perhaps

Jack

Excellent looking bridges Jon. I particularly like the arch on the bottom left of the set. The top left one's brick texture looks a little washed out, or it could use a bit more definition on the bricks. Aside from that, I like the styles of all of them, and can think of several instances where I've seen types of each.

As for the base texture question, I think that, since the paths are textured, and the paths generally appear in landscaped areas, a base texture might be the best idea. I guess it all depends on what the user plans to do with the edges. I can see instances where retaining walls would be used (I'd need to double check how the underbridge sections look when plopped) and it might look odd having them stop suddenly for a patch of grass. The texture-less side looks great where it meets the ground.

I'd say go texture-less if underbridge sections of retaining walls work with the paths, otherwise stick with the grass base.
-Matt

These look pretty good!

A couple of things...  I wonder how realistic it is to have the bridges on slopes like this as opposed to being an overpass that has stairs from street level, though... Certainly, with the canals, this would make sense, but over a street, unless it is a very hilly area, it wouldn't have made sense for the road (likely built first) to be built in a depression between two hills (unless it was a ravine or something else like that, but the university probably wouldn't be built in such an area).

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historicbridges.org%2Fillinois%2Flincolnpark%2Flittle_dscf2639.jpg&hash=d38848cc12c7d776014cbaf407caf7bfe652c3a7)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historicbridges.org%2Fillinois%2Flincolnpark%2Fmini2.jpg&hash=674544b7489b7ae222f1b55997bb4bd63fdf5975)

Above is one in Chicago.  Now, yes, it does go over Lake Shore Drive, so it's much wider, but it is the same sort of idea.

Now, certainly, in Illinois (which is flat as a pancake) there aren't a whole lot of hills... up by where I live now, though, there are lots of ravines on the North Shore, north of Chicago... and also farther north in Milwaukee where there are ravines as well.  But they aren't small differences in height... the ravines are pretty deep and though they're not streams or canals (usually) they were cut by water and do provide drainage during heavy rains/snow melt.

For the texture of the bridge path, I wonder if the coloring of the concrete of the path shouldn't match the street texture below it better (brighter, perhaps?) or some other brighter, white stone (like the sidewalks under the bridge). 

LOvely bridge. &apls

Io-bg:  Thanks!  Naturally, I couldn't just make one and be finished... I always have to make my life more complicated!  :D

Girafe:  Thank you!  About the paving style:  First reason is that I'm just not very good at matching GMAX textures to the game's base textures.   ::)  The second, and more important, "real" reason is that the paths use the BSC park compliant texture which could be any one of five(?  I forget how many choices there actually are) different paving styles.  I'm already up to 12 different bridges... multiplied by how many more textures?  Sorry, but no thank you.  :D

Seraf:  Thanks!  None of these overpasses are in their completed state... fear not about the tiny bricks.  ;)

Guillaume:  Thank you!  I remembered...  ;)

Jgehrts:  Thanks!  I'm glad you like them.

Raymie:  Thank you!  There are a number of more modern looking buildings in EP1, yes.

Antn:  Thanks!  I can't really smooth the coliseum walls because of the way they were made.  I don't really believe in perfectly curved walls anyway.  :D

Jack:  Thank you!  The base textures will be either the grass or none at all... those are really the only two options I'm considering.  I'm saving the post and beam look for something to come later.  I will probably still add one final style to this collection with more of a field stone type of look to it and possibly some "older" lamps.

Matt:  Thanks!  All right already... I knew the bricks weren't showing up well.  You all have completely lost faith in me... :D  Truth be told, that may not have even been a high quality render... I can't recall anymore as I've exported some of these options four times or so to test and tweak.  I still have to check the under bridge options for retaining walls, but I'm saving that for the final exports.  If it works, great... but if not, there will be very little I can change here to make them work.

CabraBuitre:  Thank you!  Flat landers (like I used to be) will be covered... all in good time, my friend.  ;)

Aaron:  Thanks!

Just a quick stop in to say hello.  Hi!  Alright... see you later.  :D

I've gotten all three of these styles completely modeled for narrow, wide, short, and long options.  As of this writing, I've finished exporting 6 of the 24 models needed to get these in game for good.  (For those of you who are now questioning my math skills, each overpass has a "building" and a "foundation"... one basically being the bridge deck and the other being the support structure below said deck.)  The longer overpasses will export next and then all the foundation pieces (which only take about 1/3 of the time to render).  Putting everything on lots and into the game doesn't take too long... so with any luck I'll have some "final" views in the game sometime tomorrow.

And after that?  I don't know yet... we'll see  ;)

JB

Hey JB...

Thanks for the update... will be standing by for further updates... ;D

ITS JUST SO HOT here!!  :sunny: 95 that feels like 103 with a 60+% humidity... so how the weather there? :P ::)

Jack  8-)

Jack:  Wait no more, my friend!  The weather here continues to be strange.  We had a pretty wet weekend with more rain in three days than we normally get for all of June (although that normally only amounts to 0.2 inches this time of year... but we had a bit over an inch).  Supposedly summer may finally arrive this week, and I'm more than ready for it!  I certainly don't miss that humidity though...  $%Grinno$%

I got all twelve overpasses reassembled and in game.  Here are the final exports of the 3 different versions in all their various sizes:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FOverpass_Preview04.jpg&hash=0f7f41a774d61e4cf9a4b318a85fb6eae4a68a2c)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FOverpass_Preview05.jpg&hash=90fcb52c9c979f1f8d5662a489d3c6e98c4ea9b3)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FOverpass_Preview06.jpg&hash=7d23d84437acf0e3086efe7331af375b8536753c)

I tried some of the banked sets with underbridge pieces and the JRJ set shown at the top seems to be the best bet.  I think there are 4 different options in this set, if I recall.  His original set with the bridge support built in sort of works with the wider overpasses, but even then it looks a bit off.  I don't have a whole lot of other sets to experiment with, so I didn't spend a LOT of time trying all the options.  I did wind up leaving all of these with no base texture for now, but I may still go back and add the grass texture if it seems needed.  I should also mention that the longer overpasses don't handle shallow slopes quite as well.  Well, let me rephrase... they will work with shallow slopes but some of them may not look quite right with smaller support pieces disappearing into the bank without the larger foundation showing up.

I've also got these all fully modded (except for menu icons) and they all light up.  I made them similar in function to the campus path pieces.  They cost nothing to bulldoze or maintain, they're basically nuetral lots (no pollution, but no benefits either).  The cost for each is slightly different based on length, width, and style.  They will count as campus lots but NOT as campus buildings.

I think that covers the basics for now,
JB

Wonderful pedestrain bridges!! &apls &apls But how do you plop them on the game?

Guillaume :thumbsup:

They are very wonderfull!!  &apls

I really like the idea of bridges and they looks amazing.  :) Thank you for all your hard work.  &apls  &apls

When I was talking about jeronij's walls, I was thinking these ones.

RESIDENTIAL / RURAL DIAGONAL WALL SET V1 BY JERONI
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsc4devotion.com%2Fcsxlex%2Fimages%2Fbeximg%2FJRJ_RuralRes_Walls01.jpg&hash=e72b9488a7e21c3eaabd9888369b905f56efb0c4)(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsc4devotion.com%2Fcsxlex%2Fimages%2Fbeximg%2FJRJ_RuralRes_Walls02.jpg&hash=91634e27c0da7355efe4435226810a5f22059591)

or even Mas71
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsc4devotion.com%2Fcsxlex%2Fimages%2Fbeximg%2Fwp2wtaop01_02.jpg&hash=0bb6a51ca3513bde42588d283ea44a1f91eb1981)

But even if you don't go with my favourite.....I'm pretty good with LE. ;)

Now for those bridges.....they look awesome, especially the last two types.  I can't wait to get my hands on these.

Robin  &apls &apls

Excellent!!  :satisfied:
ta-ta for now
Jack

Guillaume:  Thank you!  The bridges plop very easily, to be honest.  The paths you see are the standard pieces included with the University Starter Pack.  The bridge itself is plopped on the tile between the last path and the road (the sloped tile... it makes no difference which side).

Supremec:  Thanks!

TS007:  Thank you!

Robin:  Thanks!  I have the JRJ Residential/Rural Walls... but I don't think they have an "under bridge" piece.  I'd have to check, but I think those might be texture based (not models) which should make it simple to add in LE if you prefer.  I don't have the Mas71 Set you've shown   :o  so I can't speak for those right now.  I'll try to pick them up and give them a look though.

Jack:  Thank you!  TTFN yourself.... ;)

Just stopping by again to get some opinions.  I started playing around with some ramped overpasses similar to what CabraBuitre showed the other day.  The biggest problem I'm having so far is that they take up a LOT more room than I had hoped.  To make the ramps even remotely believable is going to take two tiles just about anyway I've come up with so far.  Here's a look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FRampOverpass_Option01.jpg&hash=0cea1e204596f156bd5f904f16b4b94d8144d062)

On the left is the option that would use two tiles fronting each side of the road (or whatever)... on the right is an alternative which uses two tiles away from either side of the road.  Both examples have nearly the same total height for the bridge deck (around 10 meters) which I'd still have to check before knowing for certain is tall enough.  I'm partial to the first option, but I see some advantages to both.  The second option could easily zig-zag back and forth instead of going in a large circle, but the total footprint would still be about the same.  Oh... and don't ask for a tight spiral ramp like a parking garage, because it looked horrible.   ::)

Your thoughts are next...
JB

OMG! Those bridges are wonderful.
You've done a great amount of work on it I guess.
and it looks great.

Two of your last bridges are just awesome too. So I won't worry about the space. It isn't that big you know.

-Ernst

WOW!!

The files that I pointed you to are just textures.  But my thought was you could make the base textures optional.  ;)

As for those new bridge paths......to die for.  Great work.  I do have a small suggestion, see below.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk83%2Frooker1%2FRampOverpass_Option01a_robin.jpg&hash=e2efda2fdefaf1ffcbbb42d9321440aae86c532b)

If you were to use all the space of the one single tile and run the path around the outside of it with the base to the middle as it is now, maybe that might look pretty good.

my two cents...
Robin  :thumbsup:

Hi JB...

weather report: after all that heat for the first part of the week it changed dramatically from highs  :sunny: into the 90's down to highs low 60's...  ??? very odd... but garden progress is happening and hopefully not too late in the planting...

I like 'em both for their functionality over a road or water way  :thumbsup: ... however I like the 1X4 bridge better, particularly its matching walkway intent, but the 2x4 config would appear to work -look, better over the wider right of ways

Jack  8-)

I prefer the 2x3, mainly because the path configuration would be more flexible, it's also far more prototypical for what I've seen.

This keeps getting better every day.

I'm with jdenm8, the 2x3 make much more sense. At least they seem much closer to what I've seen. Question : do you have plans for an avenue overpass?

Florian

GREAT BRIDGES! :thumbsup: By any chance while any of these go over RHW?

Ernst:  Thank you!  You're right... I have wound up spending a bit more time with these than I originally thought.  I figured the overpasses would be a nice quick way to clear my head before going back to the larger sports complexes.  But then (as always!) I got carried away and made my life more difficult.   :D  At least the responses tell me it was worth it.  ;)

Robin:  Thanks!  At this point, I plan to use no base textures on the slope as shown in the most recent update.  I might (heavy stress on the word might) try one more idea which will make both slopes able to recieve a plopped piece like the ones you mentioned.  I'm not totally sure how well it will work yet, so I won't say anymore until I've experimented a bit further.  As for your other suggestion with the approach ramps... I tried your configuration, but there just wasn't enough room on a single tile to get the necessary height.

Jack:  Thank you!  Weather here has been much more California like... I even got out in the sun yesterday!  :)

Jdenm8:  Thanks!  The option you suggest is also the one I see more often.

TiFlo:  Thank you!  Yes, I will also make longer versions of these for two tile networks.

Banditp:  Thanks!  These will go over anything you like as long as they are one or two tile wide networks.  I don't have plans at this point to go beyond those two lengths though... so I guess the wider RHW options would be out for now.  That could always change if there seems to be enough interest though.

Well believe it or not... I've actually had a fair amount of free time this weekend!   ???   :o  I even managed to get out and enjoy some of the wonderful weather and small town life of the wine country I call home.  Yesterday found me at a fundraising event for the <a href="http://www.forestvilleyouthpark.org/>Forestville Youth Park [linkie]</a> which turned out to be a great time.  Good food (which I didn't have to cook for once!), great weather, a couple really fun bands, and the chance to realize just how many people I've gotten to know out here.  Since I rarely venture beyond walking distance of my own little town in Occidental, I tend to forget how interconnected all the other towns and villages around here are.  Some of Graton's volunteer firefighters were helping cook... people in Bodega Bay donate the oysters... Occidental, Guernville, Monte Rio, and Santa Rosa all represented in various ways... and all for the good of a park in Forestville.  Great times aside, it's nice to remember that "community" does still exist in some places.   :thumbsup:

But enough about me... let's get back to work here, shall we?  I started with the ramped overpass using two tiles of road frontage (what appeared to be a 2x3 in the last update) and fine tuned most of it.  I also made the longer version right away for avenues, highways, and other two tile things.  Here's a look:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSideRamp_Preview01.jpg&hash=ded4faecaa628e8726486c1449ed7b68ac594783)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FSideRamp_4Tile_Preview01.jpg&hash=aa835ca784a268936955a574cf9ad5dbbc013840)

I'm still debating the railings here.  I tried a number of different things and finally settled on this "painted" look.  Most of the untreated metal railing textures I tried left it looking very dull and "shades of grey."  But I'm still not sure if I like the painted look either as it seems very uniform.  I'm still going to try and dirty the paint up a bit, but it's tough to tell since the railings are really only a few pixels wide anyway.

I'll probably work on the same style with the other ramp configuration next.  I'm not sure if there will be more than that for these or not.  I haven't really thought of any decent alternate styles yet, but I'd be open to suggestions.

More to come,
JB

Hello JB...

Thanks for the update with home stories and progress... Occidental sound like a good place to be. 

The weather here is 10-15 degrees cooler than typical, and it felt like April all day yesterday.  But it was better as than last years 80's and humidity, as yesterday was the 61st Appleton Flag Day parade, the longest running -largest too, consecutive Flag Day parade.

About 60,000 -maybe more, people showed to watch a 2 hour parade -interrupted twice by long trains apparently CP & CN didn't get the memo  &sly... the marching bands were particularly good especially the Luthern Vangaurd... the theme this year was honor of desert storm vets... last year was the big one honoring all vets and Flag history, that one lasted nearly 3 hours over a 5 mile run...

concerning the bridges... I like the progress and the tweaking and I like the painted railings -black, brown or a green,

then a thought for one one of then to be a chain link cage look as its become a WI code standard that all over passes be caged -it seems years back a rash of 'people' thought it funny to drop rocks and other material onto passing vehicles; it killed too many for just cheap fun and some others thought it made for easy places to die too, terrorizing motorists as they leap to their death into a passing vehicle... trouble was that all of them who tried this didn't die but wound up crippled  ()sad() just all too sad... HOWEVER, that notion may not work nor look good in game so it may need to be disregarded...

Thoughts for now

Jack

I kind of like the painted look. I see what you mean by it all looking uniform, but I think that's good for the rails. I think, to break up the uniformity, a bit of dirt to the concrete would be more appropriate. Not much happens to rails besides a few chips which can be painted over, but even the best power-washed concrete will pick up stains, gum spots, and bits of dirt. I think that might work better than trying to tweak the railings. The overpasses look like they'll be great additions though.
-Matt

Very nice &apls

Guillaume :thumbsup:

I like the painted railing. It seems it would blend really well with all your other lots.

I really like the overall look right now.  The painted rails looks great the way they are.  If you can add in some dirty details than that would be great too.  But sometimes everything cant be too perfect.
&apls
Robin  :thumbsup:

What's the plan for these overpasses?
Overhangs or TE'd LOTs?

I've got a nice section of RHW-4 I'd love to stick one over.

Nice overpass, I liked it alot.  :thumbsup:

Jack:  Thanks!  I'm considering the "cage" look for an alternate version, although we'll see what happens.  I know they're necessary from a safety standpoint, but they tend to be pretty ugly in my opinion too.

Matt:  Thank you!  I dirtied up the concrete a bit more, but I fear I may have gone too far now.  I did also brighten the railings a bit, which helped that side of things.

Guillaume:  Thanks!

TiFlo:  Thank you!

Robin:  Thanks!

Jdenm8:  No TE'd lots here... these (and the previous "sloped bank" overpasses) are all overhanging.

Arthur:  Thanks!

Sticking with the same style for now, I got both ramp versions and both lengths finished for these.  I also made "Landing Lots" to cover the opposite side of the road.  Here's a look...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FRampOverpass_Preview02A.jpg&hash=ac980101fc4d918ea342143704b242003d667cc5)

The height looked good as I watched the trucks pass below.  (LOD's also seemed alright for letting the traffic show through without being cut off.)  Since these don't cross the center of the tile like the other ones do, street lights don't get in the way as often.  There are still a few places where trees might try to grow through the bridge deck, but some bulldozing and rebuilding usually fixes that!  :D  My only fear at this point is that the scale may be a bit large in comparisson to other campus buildings.  I'll have to actually build complete test campus (you'd think I had one already, but I actually don't!) and check that part.  More on that next time...

Oh... and did someone ask about RHW options?  Perhaps the old highways too?  What else can you do with them?

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi199.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa104%2FJBSimio93%2FRampOverpass_Preview02B.jpg&hash=e657de3a5a68487b6e88050c6e659acf9261004e)

Pretty much anything you want, I guess.  ;)

JB

While there are other footbridges available, these are just right for UC and its many satellite campuses which are bound to be out there by now.  The newly-redone deep red rails convey the school spirit quite well IMHO.

Hey JB...

I like the updates on the overpasses :) very much :thumbsup:

the overpasses are so multi-purpose any place, any application, for any site... I think its a well done for using in different places  ???... also, the cage notion was a thought and I agree -ugly looking too, but not to use on these overpasses -although my post seems to imply that  $%Grinno$%.  I think they are good as is, plus whatever tweaks maybe needed  ::)... but I don't see any issues...

thanks for all the work your putting into this project as its neat watch unfold and expand... I am hoping that the ep1 can be modded soon; not complaining mind ya jes' standing by til it shows up on the lex... it just a bummer how RL can be such an inconvenience at times; it just heightens the anticipation, right?

Jack

Those look exceptional!  Bravo!!   :thumbsup:

JB, they look great. I'm sure they will be used extensively by your many followers. But seriously, how do you not have your own campus, with the new buildings, and such??? HUH? HOW?!?!!?  :)

Zach

Oh great.
Those bridges look awesome in game.
Nice colour BTW

-Ernst

Lovely new overpasses! Great work! :thumbsup:

Great work man! &apls

Guillaume :thumbsup:

Your doing such a great job. &apls

These all look so great.  I think I would have lit up the logo on that one at night, but either way you are doing an awesome job with all these.

I really like the versatility of these overpasses Jon. Being able to run two single-tile networks under it too is a great touch that I don't think I've seen before in a basic overpass. The concrete looks fine, but the thickness/height of the rails looks a bit high, but then I guess that's to keep people from falling/jumping over. Mixed with the thickness of the rails though, it does seem a bit dense. How big are they in the BAT?

I think it looks good here as it is. The only thing I would suggest is to consider making the rails just a bit thinner, if it's feasible.
-Matt

First of all, I love your creations, especially the University of Clayhurst Series!!!!  :thumbsup:
I know I'm not the only one patiently waiting the next release- soo, do we have an ETA yet??? ()what()
Can't wait to see what you come up with next!!!! ;D

I'm trying to diagnose an apparent problem.  In a large city with Clayhurst built and running for >50 game years, I couldn't build the Advanced Research Centre.  I added the Maxis uni, and the ARC immediately became available.  My Clayhurst had a functional classroom, and all the other buildings, as well as driveways and parking lots.

Has any one else run into Clayhurst no triggering the ARC?

Metarvo:  Thank you!  I know there are plenty of other pedestrian overpasses out there, but I liked the idea of making some that would fit the campus mold a little better and also offer a bit more flexibility.  Glad to hear it seems to be a worthwhile effort!  ;)

Jack:  Thanks!  I don't see myself doing any "roll cages" for these, but I see we're in agreement there anyway.  Speaking of RL... obviously mine kicked back in again, but more about that in a moment.

CabraBuitre:  Thank you!

Zach:  Thanks!  I was mostly using the campus in Covington as my test bed, but I've basically run out of room there for some of these newer things.  I need to just build a seperate test city devoted to this project where I can explore all the different ideas I have in my head.   Why that hasn't happened yet is a very good question and I don't even know the answer!  :D

Ernst:  Thank you!

Io_bg:  Thanks!

Guillaume:  Thank you!

Aaron:  Thanks!

Utvaw:  Thank you!  I considered lighting up the logo and I may still try it out.  We'll see how it looks before I say more than that though.

Matt:  Thanks!  The thickness on the rails may have something to do with a newer graphics card I'm using... the anti alias doesn't appear to be quite right and there is some black around the edges that I feel should have blended better.  I need to check it on my laptop to be sure though.  The thickness of the railing mesh is 0.25 which I've used pretty extensively for things like this in the past.  They may just be spaced too close together as well.  Some further tinkering will tell.

Phillyphresh:  Thank you!  No ETA on the first expansion yet, sorry.

Markouellette:  Hmmm... I never used the Advanced Research Center and so hadn't even noticed your issue.  I haven't had time to dig too deeply, but it may be that the ARC is triggered specifically by the Maxis University's own unique instance ID.  I can say that the Clayhurst classrooms use the same occupant groups and city exclusion group as the Maxis version, so it wouldn't be either of these things.  Usually, as far as I know, the other major reward trigger is a building's specific ID code which I obviously can't copy into the Clayhusrt buildings without completely replacing the Maxis university completely.  Hopefully someone with a little better knowledge... paging Ripplejet ;)... can correct me if I'm wrong here.

Donclark:  The usual answer is "When it's ready."  ;)  I've been away from the forums for a few weeks myself, but before disappearing I was under the impression that things were gearing up in other areas for Andreas who is probably just very busy with other things right now too.  Even if he was done with the files, there would be a few more steps before release could happen anyway.

So... I suppose most of you who know me have already guessed that summer started!  :D  On top of the typical RL pressures that summer always brings to my job, I also had to let my other cook go.  I'm currently training a new one, but until he's completely ready I'll be putting in (and have been for a couple weeks already) some very long days for a while again.  To be honest, I hadn't even visited this site in a week or two.  The only reason I even knew about the forums upgrades were from the BSC site which I was checking to keep up with plans for the upcoming Euromeet in London.  Hard to believe that I'll be over there in just over a month already!!!

As far as EP1 goes:  The files are still with Andreas as I said earlier.  I haven't heard from him specifically lately, but I'm sure he's just busy like I am.  Even when he does get finished with them, I'll need to get everything to Ripplejet for final modding and languages.  There are a number of things for the reward chains that haven't even been cemented in stone yet and I doubt he and I will have a chance to discuss much until we meet in London anyway.  Then everything will need to be tested a bit to make sure nothing was missed.  So in all honesty, I don't see a release happening until at least the end of August or even mid-September at the earliest.  I'm sure that's not what anyone wants to hear, but there it is.

Nothing new to add at the moment.  I just wanted to stop in and let everyone know I was still around somewhere.  I'll try to keep up when I can, but in the meantime...

Have a great summer!
JB

I'm a big fan of your work, JB. I have a question: will you make a Greek fraternity/sorority house? And enable the toilet paper trees? :)

Well JB, it's tough to keep patient but I know how RL can throw a couple of curve balls at you.

I think I can wait until the fall for the EP though.  Frankly, I haven't touched SimCity for about 4-5 months now.  I've been busy with my own RL as well as editting Wikipedia and contributing to SkyscraperPage.  I'm just waiting for an impetus to inspire some new SimCity creativity and I think that it will be your EP.

Till then.....   :thumbsup:

Quote from: JBSimio on July 09, 2011, 11:36:57 AM
As far as EP1 goes:  The files are still with Andreas as I said earlier.  I haven't heard from him specifically lately, but I'm sure he's just busy like I am.  Even when he does get finished with them, I'll need to get everything to Ripplejet for final modding and languages.  There are a number of things for the reward chains that haven't even been cemented in stone yet and I doubt he and I will have a chance to discuss much until we meet in London anyway.  Then everything will need to be tested a bit to make sure nothing was missed.  So in all honesty, I don't see a release happening until at least the end of August or even mid-September at the earliest.  I'm sure that's not what anyone wants to hear, but there it is.

I haven't dropped off the face of the earth yet, but RL kept me unusually busy lately indeed. As a matter of fact, I haven't visited SC4D since a month or so, and the only occasion when I had some free time was when the site was down due to maintenance. ;) I basically haven't touched SimCity since last year's SFBT Advent Calendar, and from what I can see, the next two months or so will keep me busy as well. I'll see about returning to the community properly in fall, hopefully. :)

@Andreas: oh well, such is life  &mmm... as one needs to 'roll with the punches' at times... I trust that you can and will get to doing the C of U-EP1 as its a much looked forward to  :thumbsup:... in th emean I'll just standgy in expectation of its eventual -hopefully sooner than later, release

best wishes

Jack

Question for you JBSimio (or anyone who can answer this LOL)

I love your work...ALL OF IT.  I have recently stumbled across the University of Clayhurst, decided to download and I LOVE IT.  But, I can only locate the starter pack....where do you download the expansion packs?

One more questions...is it possible for me to delete a "dependency" and get rid of the seasonal changing trees?  They look nice in your pics, I just don't like them in the game....on any lot.  Nothing personal.

Thanks for your help, and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

jerred_p: EP1 is sadly with the busy Andreas for modding and prep work. That's been delayed due to his RL.

Darn, was looking forward to that.  Any idea on the tree situation?

Computerguy:  Thanks!  I definitely have plans for a "Fraternity and Sorority Row" at some point, but I don't really know which pack that might best into.  I personally hate the toilet paper trees, although I can certainly see your point in using some there.  ;)

Simdad:  Nice to hear from you again.  Yes, RL has been tough here during the last 18 months or so but I'm hoping that things here are finally lining up in a way that will help change that for the better.

Andreas:  Thanks for the update.  Tage and I obviously talked a bit this past week and I will probably be messaging you soon about those discussions.

Jack:  Thank you for your patience.  ;)

Jerred_p:  As Tracker mentioned, the Starter Pack is currently the only pack available right now.  EP1 is close to being finished and I'm hoping to get it in everyone's hands as soon as possible.  For the trees, there is one definite solution and one "possible" solution.  The definite one would simply involve using the Lot Editor to replace any of the seasonal trees yourself with a favorite tree set of your choice.  This, of course, means that you would have to be comfortable with LE.  This method also means you could lose the custom menu icons for any lot you change unless you know how to put those icons back into your newly saved lots.  The other "possible" solution would be if I make a tree replacement mod.  I'm not sure how well this would work though.  The seasonal trees are actually four individual timed props which are stacked on top of each other.  I don't know if there is a way to replace four props with one single non-seasonal prop.  Such a mod would also impact any other lots using the same seasonal trees (which would probably be exactly what you're hoping for anyway!).  I'll have to experiment a little before I could say if this will really work or not.

Still nothing new to show right now.  The summer camp season is over and I'm hoping to finish training my second cook as we settle back into the school year routine.  Once that is all sorted out, I should find myself with a little more time than I've had in a while and maybe I'll be able to start feeling like an active member of this community again!   ::)  In that spirit, I've just returned (last night) from the BSC Euromeet in London.  It was another fantastic trip full of lots of sightseeing, stimulating conversation, and the chance to meet a few more new faces.  Tea Cat was able to join us for a day and it was very nice to meet him in the flesh.  We also were joined for dinner by the legendary Gascooker!  I kind of felt like I was meeting a god... even though he had left the community before I really started BATting and so had no idea who I even was!   :D  Anyway... Ripplejet and I had a pretty good discussion about the University sets and I think we have some of the last modding questions hammered out.  My hope is to bundle things back up and send them to him as well so he can start working his magic.  This will allow us to keep moving things along until Andreas is able to rejoin in the fun.

I've got all sorts of inspirational pictures and ideas from the trip, so I'm sure you'll be seeing something new in one of the JBSimio, Inc threads soon!

Until then,
JB

 I would just like to congratulate you for your awesome work and say that I admire your patience and dedication to Simcity. And also to say that I just can't wait for this release since I am now going to University and this would be a great away to celebrate it in my cities :D , since I'll have to leave Simcity for some time  &cry2 .

@Jerred_P:
If you are familiar with the SC4PIM you can relot the lots without losing the icons. You simply delete all the trees and plant trees of your own choice. But indeed: it's quite some work.

any change of an update anytime soon? ^^

just popping in to say Hi and hello only to find an empty office and a 'gone fishing' sign... long time no hear [progress reports are due too  :P]trust all is well with you...

Popping in myself today to wish you a Happy Birthday Jon. Hope all is well.

all has gone quiet, even the bells are silent... its rather eerie

I am aware of the long standing rules about release dates and such... so I hope I come across ok here...

With RL apparently swallowing up JB, Andreas, and Ripplejet... the prospect of not getting to download JB's latest work -particularly the U of C EP1, EP2, EP3, and teh field house and pedestrian overpasses, appears to threaten...

what I hoping and asking for is some sort of status update and possibly a game plan to get his C of U expansion packs finished and available soonist for DL via LEX...

I hopein expressing my concern I haven't breached any protocol

I trust that all is well with JB and that the challenges of 'summer camp' cooking doesn't keep him away too long nor his projects left in limbo...

respectfully submitted...

Unfortunately, this appears to be a case of "detrimental reliance".  City council has decided to scrap the groundwork laid for the planned university expansion and instead has agreed to a Walmart box store to be built.  :'(

where oh where can I download these? I've got the starter pack but where are the rest? Did I miss them somewhere els? please tell me. my ivy town could sure use them.   charlycooks@yahoo.com

Quote from: CharlyS on August 24, 2012, 01:21:43 PM
where oh where can I download these?

Go to the LEX. Power search -> Creator/Designer -> JBSimio

There will be two pages of possible downloads. Look for Clayhurst starter pack

CharlyS, the Starter Pack is the only thing that has been released so far. The first expansion pack is in the works, but has yet to be released. So, like the rest of us, you will have to wait patiently until that glorious day. :)

Quote from: CharlyS on August 24, 2012, 01:21:43 PM
where oh where can I download these? I've got the starter pack but where are the rest? Did I miss them somewhere els? please tell me. my ivy town could sure use them.

You might want to scrub the email address from your post.

Also wondering what became of JB... %confuso 

&mmm  as well as the status of the U of C field-house, ped. bridges, and EP1&2  :( ... &Thk/(  I wonder if Andreas or Ripplejet would know [as I see in past EofC readmes, they helped mod it,] maybe they have an idea as to progress...

:( it would be a real shame if this is completed and released via the LEX, ...JB put sooo much time and effort into it for it to languish on a hard drive somewhere [also hope it didn't go bad too]...

trusting all is well...  :satisfied:

 :'(  Really wish this hadn't fallen by the wayside.

Please come back!  :'(

Hi - does anyone know anything about JBSimio?  I wonder what happened? 

JB is alive and kicking . He took up a new job a few years back which has left him with less time for SC4 than he had in the past. I'm not sure where he's got to with this, or whether he'll get back to finish it.

He was online here a couple days ago. Didn't post, pity, but it shows he still holds interest in the game. Who knows one day.


Cheers
Willy

I saw that he was on yesterday, didn't post, but he might come back one day like Andreas, Wounagaine, calagrafx and many of our old friends here. Maybe he will join the group. ;)

Thanks for replying guys...hope he knows that tons of fans are wishing he would complete the UC expansions.  If he never does, it would be sad but fine though.  Thanks again for replying.

Bumping this because I desperately want to see EP1 released!

Don't bump threads please. Won't get you anywhere.


Cheers
Willy

Has anyone approached JB, if they have his contact information, about his feelings of releasing his unfinished files to someone willing to finish them for the greater good of the SC4D community?   &idea It is just ashame that we only get to enjoy half of a Rembrandt masterpiece.

This was posted on /r/simcity on Reddit and it has ped bridges! What's the dealio??

Edit: would help if I posted a linky!

http://imgur.com/a/H6myd

The bridges (and paths & tower) you're looking at are part of the BSC park series, which is independent from the Clayhurst University. Though iirc the university lots do comply with the texture IID scheme.

At any rate, here's the BSC park base set (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=437), here're additional textures  (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=438) and here're the bridges (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=454) from the pics. If interested I'd recommend you do a search for 'BSC Park' on the LEX because it has many, many add-ons.  :)

Quote from: amishius on January 04, 2014, 11:50:05 AM
This was posted on /r/simcity on Reddit and it has ped bridges! What's the dealio??

Edit: would help if I posted a linky!

http://imgur.com/a/H6myd

Please don't revive old threads.

We have an area for questions/requests like this:
Where can I find this ....?¿ (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?board=120.0)

Quote from: vortext on January 04, 2014, 02:20:54 PM
The bridges (and paths & tower) you're looking at are part of the BSC park series, which is independent from the Clayhurst University. Though iirc the university lots do comply with the texture IID scheme.

At any rate, here's the BSC park base set (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=437), here're additional textures  (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=438) and here're the bridges (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=454) from the pics. If interested I'd recommend you do a search for 'BSC Park' on the LEX because it has many, many add-ons.  :)

Thank you!

what happened wiht this pack ()what() :'(

Some stuff are upload to Lex under the name JBSimio.

the others I would guess got stuck on JBSimio's HD.

I think this is exclusive of the LEX DVD and never been released to public.

actually, if I understood JB's proposal was that the EP1 was to be a general release expanding the previous UofC general release... what is exclusive to the disc was differing models and accessories...

I wish to god he was able to have completed his EP1 release with the field-house, and pedestrian bridges and the rest of campus buildings... it was a magnificent project, it deserves better than this   &mmm ()sad()

hope all is well with guy now that RL has apparently swallowed him up...

The expansion is not on either sc4d disks as far as I know.  It's an urban legend because the cd had a fix pack for the original release that people have confused over the years.

I might be wrong, but I've never found the EP on the disks I have.

Did Andreas ever get EP1 to mod and release? I thought it was *there* that the delays were encountered...

This lack of buildings makes me want to learn 3D modeling and lotting. But my oh my, that would be a LOT to learn for me...

Pardon my bumping a dead thread...

:crytissue:


just lamenting the lose of U of C project and the promising expansion packs...

trust life is treating JB well

:satisfied:

Hello student body of U of C...

before I state the purpose of this interruption unto a 'dead thread'... wish to extend apologies for waking such a quiet library space...

I hope JB is well and good where ever he is and whatever he is doing... the thread maybe 'dead' but let it not be so for the one who built the campus...

which brings me to this... hopefully everyone noted that Andreas managed to find resurrect and recover much of the last EP for the campus... it is very appreciated and well enjoyed...

however it is missing somethings... namely the awesome Field-House... and then what was to be the ag/natural resources/farm department... and the pedwalks-n-bridges and the beginnings of the athletic department and medical departments... and lecture/studio hall

so I am wondering and hoping that perhaps JB could be found and asked about these items... and then further, perhaps allow a few other capable Batters/modders to continue adding the UofC campus in his stead and memory... as such allow use of his textures and other items to continue expanding the university as he began it...

thoughts for consideration and possible action... so again thx for listening sorry about disturbing the dust in this Uof C library...

:satisfied:

Quote from: Jack_wilds on February 25, 2016, 07:15:50 PM
the awesome Field-House... and then what was to be the ag/natural resources/farm department... and the pedwalks-n-bridges and the beginnings of the athletic department and medical departments... and lecture/studio hall

I haven't gone back through this thread to verify, but if memory serves, several of the buildings you mentioned were slated for EP2 (including the fieldhouse and the two belltowers, which I was especially looking forward to). It may well be that the files for those buildings are languishing on JB's hard drive, never having been uploaded anywhere. For all our sakes, though, I hope that isn't the case.

I agree, however, that it would be great if JB were to return, even if only to pass the baton to a new generation of academic BATters/lotters/modders. I, for one, would relish the opportunity to expand the Clayhurst set further, if only I had access to the dev files...

He was last around in January (this year). I suspect a PM may yield results, if you're willing to take on the work (in the hopes that the files still exist).

May not even be necessary; the files looked mostly complete as they appeared in the thread.

Dear University of Clayhurst enthusiasts,

Um... where to start? Obviously apologies are in order. I never intended to disappear. As many of you may remember, summer is always an extremely busy time of year for me and quite honestly, it just kind of snowballed from there. I revisited numerous times, often with feelings of guilt, but the idea of how to resurrect my past projects left me feeling overwhelmed. The more time that passed, the more difficult it became for me to make any kind of statements. None of this justifies my silence for what has now become years, but it's the best way I can explain how we got here. For that, I am truly sorry. I appreciate the expressions of concern, and I've been fine, albeit still quite busy with camp and life in general.

Now onto the business at hand...

Quote from: Jack_wilds on February 25, 2016, 07:15:50 PM
which brings me to this... hopefully everyone noted that Andreas managed to find resurrect and recover much of the last EP for the campus... it is very appreciated and well enjoyed...

This makes me feel a bit better, I'm glad to see but I was not aware of this. Can someone point me in the right direction? Just curious to know where things stand and what I may be able to do from here.

As for the bell towers, athletic facilities, pedestrian overpasses, etc... most of those things were slated for EP2 and have not been uploaded anywhere. They are indeed languishing on my hard drive at the moment in various states of completeness. I will need to take a closer look at the files to remember what still may or may not need to be done with them. There are also a few models that have not even been rendered or completely modeled yet which would obviously require a bit more work.

I haven't honestly played the game in a very long time now, although I've considered making a return to it and here numerous times. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but I still have some ideas in my head that I would have loved to see finished. If nothing else, I am more than willing to, at minimum, finish or hand over what I've shown so far so that it can get to those that still want it.

Thank you so much for the continued interest in this project. It means a lot to me, even if I haven't done much with it myself. Unfortunately, my summer season starts next week so I can't promise a fast turn around on anything. But I do promise not to disappear permanently again! And I will be back with some updates on what I learn after digging through my files.

JB

Nice to see you around!  :)

Quote from: JBSimio on June 17, 2016, 11:32:31 AM

Quote from: Jack_wilds on February 25, 2016, 07:15:50 PM
which brings me to this... hopefully everyone noted that Andreas managed to find resurrect and recover much of the last EP for the campus... it is very appreciated and well enjoyed...

This makes me feel a bit better, I'm glad to see but I was not aware of this. Can someone point me in the right direction? Just curious to know where things stand and what I may be able to do from here.

It was part of last years SC4D Advent calendar, and can be found on the LEX here (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=3303). During preparation for the calendar Andreas dug up quite a few oldies which had been sitting on his HD and whipped them into shape. So far the community has enjoyed them quite a bit, as you tell from the LEX comments.  :)

Welcome back, JBSimio! I just wanna say that all your schools are truly great and they complement the Maxis education buildings quite nicely. :) :thumbsup:

Wow, that's a nice surprise alright, welcome back! :) And no need to apologize, I feel at least as much guilty when it comes to the massive delay in releasing this huge project. IIRC, you sent me the beta version of the EP1 lots for brushing them up (menu icons etc.), but I got swamped with RL, and then you got swamped with RL as well, so they sat on my hard drive and collected dust for several years.

I've never been totally away from the community, too, but concentrated on our German forum, and "forgot" a bit about SC4D. When the 2015 advent calendar for this site was discussed, I was digging deep in my archives, and resurrected quite a few "forgotten" SFBT projects, and uncovered those half-modded university EP lots in some folder.

So I went through all the files, even found some notes that I wrote down when we discussed how to bring those into the game (trigger buildings, reward chains etc.), and tried my best to finish the work that we started years ago, compiling them to a true expansion pack for the University of Clayhurst.

Maybe it doesn't contain everything that was planned back then, but I think it's a valuable add-on that reflects our ambitions nicely. I had a bit of a hard time to figure out the proper reward scripts (RippleJet did that back then, as far as I remember), and I only included English and German menu descriptions (apart from the pieces where I could copy them from existing lots), but that shouldn't be much of a problem as well. ;)

Anyway, as my time allows, I'll gladly help you with integrating any remaining stuff for another expansion pack into the game, even though it might be a bit smaller than envisioned back then. I rarely have time to start up the game these days as well, but sometimes, I fire up SC4 and load one of my old cities, and enjoy that good old game that gave me so much fun for well over a decade now. :thumbsup:

well I sure was shocked to day to see an 'old' faculty member wonder the campus grounds today...  :)

wished to stop him and say 'Hi!'   :satisfied:    however, I also was rushing off to class in this RL work-a-day world as well  ???

great hearing from you... I am open to any idea yous guys can come up with and finally add to the LEX...  what I would like is the field-house as I thought that was rather a neat project...

beblessed   :)

 &apls Welcome back! I really do like your school sets and the University... Awesome work!  &apls

Vortext:  Thank you for the link! I had a look at the description but haven't had a chance to download and see the details just yet.

Compdude: Thanks!

Andreas: Thank you so much for doing that! As I will discuss more shortly, the original scope of this project was so ambitious and beyond my personal capabilities, that in some ways I think I set myself up to fail sooner or later. I'm sure whatever compromises you came up with are still better than I could have done myself. Especially now that I'm so out of practice!  ::)

Jack: Nice to see you again as well. You've always been one of the strongest supporters of this project, and I deeply appreciate that.

Markussaage: Thank you!

So I found a few moments after work last night to dig through my folders and it appears things might be in better shape than I anticipated. I found lot files for both bell towers, all the pedestrian overpasses, and the field house. I have yet to find my usual spread sheet I made for these packs to keep track of progress on each lot. (I may not have even gotten far enough to make one yet!) Because of this, until I open up the files in the lot editor, I can't be certain if they're completely finished lots or not yet. I also don't know if any of them have been properly modded yet although based on the file names, I doubt that part. I also found the GMAX models for the entry signs and of course the arena. The signs are finished and won't take long to export and finish. I didn't have time to do a proper preview render of the arena, but photos I shared here say it was pretty close to finished and may only need a few tweaks yet. So that's where we stand with all the pieces I had in progress as far as I can remember. (Let me know if I've missed anything!)

Moving forward, and in light of some of Andreas's remarks, I am going to propose the following: Anything else I release for this will be modded within the university standards, but strictly as eye candy lots. Even if I manage to come back to the medical center/school (which I also found the half finished model for) or anything else I may still find, they're functionality will be minimal compared to my original lofty ambitions.  :D  I also think that the reward chains are sufficient as they stand, and adding further "level" of expansion would just complicate things beyond necessary. I hope I phrased that well enough to make sense. If anyone has strong objections to this, let me know. I think all of EP2 was basically cosmetic eye candy anyway, but in case I get back into this down the road, I don't want to bog myself down again.

More to come,
JB

Jon (if I may),

Eye candy lots or the equivalent would be more than any of us would expect after so many years of not having any news on the project. I'm glad you're doing well, and that you will be able to complete out this project.

I really enjoy your school lots and having even non-functional University lots would be great help to finish fleshing out our modular colleges. We have more than enough functional stuff to satisfy.

After you finish with this, don't forget to stay around. I think old faces are always nice to have around, even if you don't have time to play or develop anymore. I think I joined just after you went inactive so seeing a legend around is pretty surreal.

-Absalom

Welcome back, Jon!  This game has a way of bringing everyone back eventually, doesn't it?  It looks like at long last this campus you've established will be expanded once again.  I agree with Absalom that eye candy will be fine.  It's just great to have you back again!

:)

It's fantastic to see you back, Jon! I had sort of become resigned to not expecting any new Clayhurst content after Andreas released EP1, but seeing you come back and find your old EP2 files in as good a condition as they're in is more than I ever dreamed of. I even considered contacting you to discuss whether I could be of any help in finishing up any unfinished BATs, as well as to get your opinion on adding some new eye-candy classroom buildings (which I've been wanting to make for my own campuses but would gladly share with your permission). I'd still be happy to contribute to future Clayhurst expansions if you're interested, especially since I have enough free time to do so. Either way, it'll be great to see new work on the university set that sets the bar!

Welcome back Jon and hope you have been busy at batting practice and lot making, all kidding aside glad to see you my friend!!

Absalom: Thank you for your kind words. It still feels very strange when I hear myself referred to as "a legend," but I am flattered nonetheless!

Metarvo: Thanks! It feels good to be back. I only hope I can find the time to finish what I've started.

Woodb3kmaster: Things for EP2 look better than I expected for sure. It may still take some time, but I will eventually get everything sorted out. I'm very curious to see what you've been working on for classrooms! Send me a PM here if you prefer that route.

Pat: Thank you! It's good to see you as well, my friend!

As I mentioned, the busy season is upon me. I haven't worked less than 11 hours per day since Saturday, and there is no definite relief in sight. Between the usual chaos of summer camp and the fact that I'm trying to train my newest cook, things will get better at some point but it may take a while. I'm really only here to assure people that I haven't disappeared again! I will come back to all of this, but (honestly) don't expect too much progress until August.

Thank you again for the warm "welcome home." It means more to me than you know...

JB

popping to say hi...

and share a thought...  ???

as you begin to form a game plan...

instead of everything being pure eye candy [if this is teh only option it okay as  I understand PIMx can update stuff BUT PIMx has never ever worked for me]  perhaps a few items could be used to boost demands in the RCI scales... and the rest of teh stuff can be dropped...  :-\

but I will everything to final decision in your hands...  :satisfied:

be blessed

Wonderful to hear that things are in good shape and that you'll be moving forward with them. Your work has always been some of my favorite to use in the game. Welcome back.
-Matt

Jack: To be honest, how much functionality may or may not happen in the future will largely depend on how much I am able to relearn!  :D  If I get as far as reviving the University Medical Center (for example) then I would certainly like to still make it act like a hospital and so on. Time will tell...

Matt: Thank you!

This isn't really an update of any kind. I've still been very busy with camp and kids and feeding kids at camp... you get the idea. I can't seem to find a "progress list" for EP2 anywhere, so I have to assume that I never even got far enough to make one. From my own posts here, it seems that the all the pedestrian lots were complete and fully modded, but I haven't had time to confirm that just yet. I looked at the lot for the Field House and it seems to only be missing the sign out front, which I also found completed and ready to export from BAT. The Memorial Coliseum looks just about finished and also ready for export (on a 45 degree angle for anyone who actually remembers that debate!). I just need to tweak a few lights from the looks of it.

The real reason I'm making this post is that I did find a moment to download EP1 from the LEX. Let me start by thanking Andreas once again for everything he did to make that happen!!!  &apls &apls &apls It looks amazing and nearly everything is basically set up as I remember discussing long ago. I even took it for a test spin in Covington this afternoon. I have to say that this was a very strange experience! I was sitting here playing with all these new pieces (many of which were never finished when I first designed the university in Covington) and found myself thinking, "Oh wow... that's pretty cool!" It had been SOOO long since I touched any of this that I honestly forgot what half of it was! I felt like a kid with a bunch of new toys and at the same time felt like an idiot because they were toys that I made!!!  :D :D :D Like I said, it was a very strange and surreal experience, but I thought it was also hilarious and wanted to share that with all you fine people.

More to come when I'm able...
JB